Ieper

Ieper, known in French as Ypres, is a city and municipality in the Belgian province of West Flanders, located in the Flemish Region. It lies along the upper Yser river and serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement of Ieper. The municipality covers the city of Ieper and surrounding villages and has a population of about 34,000 to 35,000 inhabitants.

The city’s historic center is defined by the Grote Markt (Market Square) and the Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle), a vast Gothic structure begun in the 13th century. The Cloth Hall forms part of the town’s iconic ensemble alongside the Belfry and other medieval town houses. The Cloth Hall houses the In Flanders Fields Museum, opened in 1998, which presents World War I history in the Ypres area.

Ieper is best known for its central role in World War I. The Ypres Salient was the site of major campaigns from 1914 to 1918, and the town endured intense bombardment and destruction. After the war, much of the historic center was rebuilt, shaping the modern city’s appearance and commemorative landscape. The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing stands on the Gate’s ramparts and commemorates many Allied soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave; the Last Post ceremony is held there daily.

Other notable landmarks include Saint Martin’s Cathedral (Sint-Maartenskathedraal) and the surrounding city walls and ramparts. Today Ieper is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors with its museums, memorials, and preserved medieval core. The city’s language is Dutch (Flemish), while French and English are used in tourism.