Menin Gate

Don’t miss the WWI memorial gate in the city. Every night since 1928, a live band plays music to remember the soldiers lost. Make sure you look over the panels to see the 50,000+ names on the gate

Sadly, not every soldier who lost their life had a marked grave. To make sure thousands of Allied soldiers were remembered, renowned British architect Sir Reginald Blomfield designed the Menin Gate. This landmark of Ypres is a well-known spot for a reason. Well worth a look on a stroll of the city to actually see this highlight of Ypres’s architecture.

Drop by in the evening to hear The Last Post Association playing live music at 20:00. Around this time, traffic is totally stopped and crowds of locals and tourists gather to hear the music. They play the song The Last Post every night and have done so since 1928.

The Menin Gate is most popular in the summer with tourists, but even on quiet winter days the locals still like to come by and listen to the music to remember the fallen soldiers.

• Names: the gate lists 54,604 names of Allied soldiers who died in WWI. They were British and Commonwealth soldiers from as far as Australia and South Africa.
• Importance: the Menin Gate isn’t just an impressive sight. It’s a reminder of the soldiers who were lost during Ypres Salient. That was a super important battle in WWI. If you’re into history or want your kids to really understand history, the gate is a great spot to visit.
• More History: the nearby In Flanders Field Museum will give you more info on WWI. When you enter, you get an ID bracelet. Track down the items and stories of someone who fought in the war.