"Ieper (Ypres) touches all senses in extremes" Top 5 Page for this destination Ieper by Pavlik_NL

Ieper Travel Guide: 479 reviews and 1,208 photos

Just as it used to be, it feels different

Medieval beauty wiped away and returned

Ieper is a town that has a great medieval past. Over it hangs forever the dramatic events that took place in the Great War (1914-1918). The city was completely destroyed and 100.000's fell in the Flanders feilds surrounding this place. The centre of town has been rebuilt in the exact image of what it was and the beauty of many monument is unmatched. Walking through the town one will be amazed by the architecture and the ancient history. But one will also be reminded of the four dreadful years at the beginning of the 20st century and it should be exactly like that. Let us never, ever forget and remember these poor souls that lost their lives in "the war that would end all wars".

The shocking tragedy in the Ypres salient

147 cemetries surround Ypres today

Ieper itself has a wonderful centre, that was completely destroyed in four years of continuous shelling. My page of Ieper will tell about this town and will refer to the battle in it's sailent. However, the circle making this salient has seen the fiercest fighting and in the villages there the most reminders are of the Great War. Here are the cemetries, the memorials, the monuments that make us to never forget. The frontline ran From South, along East to North through the communities of:
Zillebeke
>Zonnebeke
Sint Juliaan
Langemark
Poelkapelle

Please, do visit these pages as well to get an impression of the "In Flanders Fields-route" that tells the tragic story about what happened in the Ypres salient between 1914 and 1918.

Shadows of memories forever present

Despite all the beauty, let us never forget

Ieper is a town that touches your senses deep. Before going here read at least a book about it's medieval glory (once it was one of the largest European towns) and one about 1914-1918 (WW I) and the horrible battles that took place here.
The beauty of it's monumental buildings like the "Lakenhal" (Cloth-hall), the Cathedral and the many medieval guild houses. The wonderful tastes of the regional and in general Belgian dishes and specialties. But also the tears that will well when you hear the last post under the "Meense poort" (Menin gate) or the lumb in your throat you will have to swallow standing in front of the grave of private John Condon on the British cemetry near Poelkapelle. Ieper awakens your emotions in the most extreme ways.

Intro Updated Mar 20, 2004
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Reviews (79)

Poems, some people like to write their misery away - Ieper

Darker days call out the poet in many Local Customs (7)

In Flanders Fields may be the most famous of all poems wriiten in these hoorible circumstances. It's amaizng to see how... more travel advice

No empty streets during the "Kattenstoet 2006" - Ieper

The "Kattenstoet", a parade of cats. Local Customs (7)

Only in 1938 the old relation with cats came back, this time in a little more animal friendly way. Slowly the city and... more travel advice

Watch good and you will see some cats from Ieper - Ieper

Ieper and cats, a special relation Local Customs (7)

Completely sure where it came from, no-one is, but cats and Ieper have a very special relationship. In early medieval... more travel advice

Pictoresc chapel on the fortifications of Ieper - Ieper

Statues in the wall inside, chapels... Local Customs (7)

As much as there are statues of holy saints watching over us in town, where they are houses in small corners in or on... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Good Bourgondian dinner in cosy...
Things to Do (48)
See All The end of our tour through Ieper
Favorites (9)
See All Ieper, a war to end all wars (?????)
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Comments (10)

BruceDunning Aug 17, 2009 at 11:28 AM Report Abuse

It is a wonder how nicely they rebuilt this town and restored its beauty. You surley are proud to be a part of its society. Thank you
KrisHerron Jun 27, 2008 at 12:02 AM Report Abuse

We will be attending the 90th Anniversary of the end of WW1 in November, and this place is becoming of interest to all Australians. We seem to only remember the Anzacs at Gallipoli, but recent events have highlighted just how important this area is.
Rachael71 Jan 9, 2007 at 12:12 PM Report Abuse

Your Ieper pages are wonderful. Thank you!
breughel Jan 4, 2007 at 9:57 AM Report Abuse

Dit was een vergissing. Sorry.
iandsmith Sep 3, 2006 at 3:07 AM Report Abuse

Well documented pages, congratulations. My grandfather is commemorated there, I must make the trip.
gilabrand Feb 27, 2006 at 12:51 PM Report Abuse

Interesting cat history!
JosM Jun 6, 2004 at 2:42 PM Report Abuse

Very well documented and interesting page, with nice pics.
CubsIn4 Mar 19, 2004 at 11:21 AM Report Abuse

Thank you for sharing this information about a city that has seen both tragedy and triumph. I would like to see it someday, and I'm glad to hear it was rebuilt exactly as it was before the war. Its people did not let war and death have the final word.
matcrazy1 Mar 11, 2004 at 6:47 AM Report Abuse

Great [age especially for old architecture and history lovers! Very interesting information on the area and in local customs tips - haha, cat-city there!
Waalewiener Mar 7, 2004 at 6:56 AM Report Abuse

A great page Paul , you certainly worked very hard on this page and great imformation about everything places like this do make you think eh Paul ,Thanks for showing this to the world.