This
morning we embarked on self guided tour around Ypres
using
a booklet with a map and information about points of interest.
This beautiful city was reduced to a huge pile of rubble during the
First
World War. The people of Ypres have succeeded in rebuilding
their
city with an appreciation for the history of the place.
The
city hall was built in 1619 and was completely destroyed
on
22 November 1914, except for the pillars.
It
has now been rebuilt and next year the Ypres Museum will open here,
a
state of the art museum about the rich history of Ypres.
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Cloth
Hall, Belfry and Carillon.
As
an example and certainly as a reflection of its power and wealth,
the
city decided in the 12th century to have it's buildings
constructed in stone.
(The
wooden ones across Europe at this time used
to burn down all the time!)
This
building was recognised in the 13th century as being one
of
the most impressive civil buildings in Europe!
The
belfry forms the 70 metre high Cloth Hall Tower,
stressing
the importance of the cloth trade which was the basis of Ypres'
prosperity and power during the Middle Ages.
It
was also used to keep weapons and as a look-out post
The
building was almost completely destroyed during WW1 and
has
been completely reconstructed.
In
the 13th and 14th centuries the bells in the
belfry tower
played
a tune before striking the hour.
During
the reconstruction after WW1 the bells became
a
full grown carillon with 49 bells.
The
sound of the bells is something we love to hear,
they
put a smile on our faces each time we hear them.
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Old
Seignory Building
The
facade of this 15th century building displays a series of
medallions
representing
the seven deadly sins.
It
is now used as a court house for the chamber of commerce.
Andrew
took photos of each depiction of the seven deadly sins.
Can
you match them up?
Lust,
Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Vanity/Pride.
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We
continued our exploration of the Menin Gate,
here
it is from some different angles.
Approaching
from the market square.
From
outside the town, approaching the market square,
through
the arch you can see the Cloth Hall and Belfry.
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We
then walked along the ramparts on the banks of the Leperlee.
If
you look carefully, you'll see a person fishing in the
central
part of the photo.
Here he is in close up.
It
is so peaceful and tranquil,
the
perfect setting for the Ramparts Cemetery
This
originally French military cemetery has 198 graves
in
which 163 Britons, 10 Canadians, 11 Australian
and
14 new Zealanders (including 10 Maoris)
are
laid to rest.
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The
Lille Gate forms part of the rampart fortification lines around Ypres.
It
is the oldest still standing gate from the 14th century.
On
the inside wall the old signposts showing the way
to
British cemeteries can still be seen.
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We
spent the afternoon at the In Flanders Museum,
which
presents the story of the First World War
in
the West Flanders front region.
It
is located in the renovated Cloth Halls of Ypres,
an
important symbol of wartime hardship and later recovery.
People
from five continents and more than fifty different countries
and
cultures took part in the war in Flanders.
The
focus is the human experience
and
hundreds of authentic objects and images are presented
in
an innovative experience-orientated layout.
Lifelike
characters and interactive installations confront
the
contemporary visitor with their peers in the war, a century ago.
If
you click on the link below it will give you a bit of an idea
about
the experience.
There
were two exhibits that really struck a chord with me...
Grenadier
Odon Van Pevenaege started his diary on the first day of the war.
In
a smooth and surprisingly modern style he describes the actions
that
took him throughout Flanders, often in marches of about 20 miles,
heavily
burdened with rucksack, rifle and, and in Odon's case, his bugle.
He
was killed on 15 July 1917 and was buried
in
Hoogstade - Linde cemetery.
His
family only heard of his death in 1918 and decided
to
bring his body 'home' to Anseroeul.
…..........................................................................................
The
bullet that killed Charles Snelling of the Irish Leinster
on
the ice cold (-17ºC) 1st February,
pierced all
the papers in his leather wallet.
A
corner was ripped off an unsent field service postcard
on
which Charles says he is reasonably well.
On
a photo in his wallet, his wife Alice
looks
worried and their daughter Nellie has grown
considerably
since the photo they had taken together
before
he enlisted - one of the last times he was with them.
Private
Snelling is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery
in
Wulvergem.
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We
are very cosy in our lovely apartment here in Ypres.
We
booked directly with the owners and were a little apprehensive
because
there was no deposit and cash on arrival.
It
worked out fine and is in a fantastic location.
Today
we walked 10.2 k's
We
think the answers for the seven deadly sins are bottom to top
pride/vanity
– with the mirror
greed
– with a bag of money
lust
– something about the big bosom!
wrath
– an angry look on that face
Gluttony
– looks a bit chubby
envy
– by process of elimination
Sloth
– perhaps a little too relaxed
