Attraction Guide: Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium

Menin Gate Guide

Menin Gate: A Monument to the Missing Guide

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a poignant and powerful monument in Ypres, Belgium, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. It stands as a solemn reminder of the immense sacrifice and loss of life during the Great War. Visiting the Menin Gate is a deeply moving experience, offering a chance to reflect on the human cost of conflict. The Menin Gate was built on the site of the original medieval gate of Ypres, through which soldiers marched to the battlefields. The current structure, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, was unveiled in 1927. The names of over 54,000 missing soldiers are inscribed on its panels. The sheer number of names is overwhelming and underscores the scale of the devastation. The decision to inscribe only those missing before August 16, 1917, was made due to space limitations; later missing soldiers are commemorated at Tyne Cot Cemetery. Visitors can witness the daily Last Post ceremony, a tradition that has been maintained almost every evening since 1928. At 8 pm, buglers from the local fire brigade sound the Last Post under the archway, a moving tribute to the fallen. You can also explore the memorial at your own pace, reading the names and reflecting on the stories behind them. The Menin Gate is a place for quiet contemplation and remembrance, a place to honor the memory of those who gave their lives.