The Flanders Fields is the name given to the museum after the famous poem made by Canadian John McCrae. Flanders Field Museum is devoted to the study of World War I and occupies the second floor of the Cloth Hall Ypres in Belgium. It was virtually destroyed during the Battles of Ypres but was reconstructed later. The poem of Flanders Fields shows the history of the soldiers of the World War I.
History of the Cloth Hall Ypres the Origin of Museum
It is one of the largest commercial buildings of the Middle Ages and was served as the chief market and warehouse for the Flemish city’s most famous cloth industry. The novel structure was made in the 13th century and completed in 1304, and got affected with the artillery fire of devastated Ypews in World War I. From the year 1933 to 1964 the reconstruction of the hall took place under the guidance of creative architects. It is 125 meters in breadth, with 70 meter high tower recalls the history of medieval trade city. Baldwin IX of Flanders and Mary of Champagne’s statues can be seen in the centre of niches they are founders of the building. While there are another framed statues of historical Personages, counts and countesses of Flanders and the side niches are mostly vacant. The reconstruction work of the museum was taken under the reign of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth whose statues are also located in the front while in between these two there is a statue of Our Lady of Thuyne, the patron of Ypres known Donkerpoort.
There is a house of carillon with four turrets and a spire with 49 bells, which is at a pole atop and spires as a gilded dragon over looks the city. You can observe a beautiful and expansive look of the city and surroundings which were used as a watch tower centuries ago. You can observe an armory, prison, town archives and a treasury located in the museum. There is glance of black magic in the museum it is said that the cats were thrown off the belfry but the reason is still unknown. Today people celebrate Cat Festival where people perform as clowns and do the act by tossing blow up toy felines from the tower during this festival. This ancient Cloth Hall was accessed by both through Ieperlee waterway which is now covered, while the ground floor is used for exhibitions where the trade of wool and cloth was taken at some centuries ago. The second floor is known as the In Flanders Fields Museum which was a warehouse and later dedicated to the history of World Wat I. While on the east side there is an elegant Nieuwerk which has a Renaissance style marked with the Gothic of the main building and was originally built between 1619 and 1622 and it is called as town hall after the reconstruction.
There are three screens on the walls of the museum which shows the history of World War I and the battle of ypres. It shows a brief history of medieval city of ypres. You will also see the photographs, films, drawings etc on the walls of building which are on the stage of destruction and restoration. You can observe a series of five stands which shows the history of consequences of the war. Each and every war after the World War I is covered and represented in a different way. The words of poets and pose writers, drawings and images and paintings by artists are the witnesses of war experience these are all the representation of war during that time. Art is not only the single exhibition of this museum but there are exhibitions organized twice in year in winter season for the individual artists. There is a display of arts from the soldiers of the war. Take a look at this much watch site of Belgium and see the gripping history of World War I.
Transportation
There are many daily flights for Belgium is available from different corners of the world. All the international flights arrive at Brussels National Airport. However there is no domestic transportation available in the Belgian cities. There are air services available between Brussels and other European cities.
If you prefer to go by train there are major stations connected with London, Paris. The train tickets are easily available the Euro star, Thalys and Benelux Pass are the available rail services for the tourists. You will also get offers up to 50% in weekends.
If you prefer to go by Road the facility of rental cars, taxis, are available at reasonable rates.
Accommodation
If you are traveling Belgium in a group you will get discounts and offers up to 50%. The Brussels tourists Office will provide you all the necessary information on the type of hotel and accommodation you need. The accommodation is easily available with special rates and packages. The currency is Euro, while you can also spend your money with the traveler’s cheques which are widely accepted. There plentiful of Atm facilities available around Belgium.
Other Attractions
Namur: – The capital of Wallonia and attractive monuments.
Dinant: – A beautiful town located near river Meuse and a ancient church.
Durbay: – The world’s smallest city and unquestionably picturesque.
Mons: – The evidence of World War I and battles of German Troops in the year 1914 the statues here will describe the ancient history.
There are many more worth watching attraction in the Belgium which will make you feel like an mixture of natural and man made city of Europe. You can also enjoy the Tin Tin Museum, Art Museum and much more in this fascinating city of Europe.