Grote Markt, YpresGrote Markt, Ypres
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grote_Markt,_Ieper_.jpg
Author: Tony Grist
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Ypres (Dutch: Ieper) is a city in western Belgium, near the border with France. It is located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The city covers 130.61 sq km and has a population of 35,000 (2011 estimate). The Ieperlee Kanaal runs through the city.

The history of Ypres goes back as far as the Roman times. It only saw substantial growth in the Middle Ages, when its population grew to 40,000 (more than what it is today), as it was a center for the linen trade with England. It was, for a while, the third largest city in the County of Flanders after Ghent and Bruges.

Prosperity from linen and textile trade helped the city built the Cloth Hall, one of the most famous historic buildings in Ypres. The city suffered numerous destructions through its history. It was bured down in a major fire in 1241. The city was besieged in 1383 by English bishop Henry le Despenser. In 1697, it became a possession of Spain following the Treaty of Ryswick. Then it was passed to Austrian control in 1713.

Due to its turbulent history, visitors can see remains of its city walls, built to keep invaders at bay. Some of these walls date back to the 14th century, and are still visible today.

Cloth Hall, YpresCloth Hall in Ypres
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cloth_Hall,_Ieper_.jpg
Author: Tony Grist
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As with a number of towns in Belgium, Ypres suffered greatly in the hands of the Germans during the First World War. Three massive battles were fought in Ypres with half a million casualties on the side of the Germans, as well as of the British, Canadian, ANZAC and French forces attempting to recapture the city.

The result of the war was a devastated city. It was however rebuilt with reparation money from Germany. Its main square and many of its important buildings were rebuilt as close to the original designs as it is possible, while the rest of Ypres takes on a more modern appearance.

Kasselrijieper in YpresKasselrijieper in Ypres
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ypres_Kasselrijieper.JPG
Author: Velvet
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Visiting Ypres

Take the train from Brussels to Ypres. The Ypres Railway Station is near the city center.

Places of Interest in Ypres

  1. In Flanders Fields Museum
    Museum that documents the First World War in Ypres.
    Grote Markt 34, Ieper

  2. Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
    Yet another museum about World War One, located in a beautiful setting. It provides a chronological retelling of the war.

  3. Menin Gate Memorial
    Memorial to missing British and Commonwealth soldiers in World War One.

  4. Yepes Cloth Hall
    Rebuilt historic building that houses In Flanders Fields Museum.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.

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