Historically, the Menin Gate of Ypres was just a passage across the moat and ramparts of the old city fortifications, on the road to the nearby town of Menen. Nevertheless, it had a special meaning for the troops: from here thousands of soldiers made their way to the front, which was called the Ypres Salient - many were never to return.

Today you are standing in front of one of the greatest and most moving memorials of the First World War in the form of a Roman triumphal arch. During the inauguration ceremony in July 1927, the Somerset Light Infantry horns played the tattoo for the first time, and since 1928 it has been played every evening at 8 p.m., regardless of the crowd or the weather.

The vast white Portland stone walls of the Menin Gate contain inscriptions with the names of nearly 55,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell on the battlefield and have no burial place; son, father, brother. Indeed, the walls of the Menin Gate were not large enough: 34,957 other names of the last lost are written on the walls of Tyne Cot Cemetery east of Ypres.

Translated by Google •

Dominiek Van Dooren

February 21, 2024

The restoration of the Menin Gate in Ypres started on Monday, April 17, 2023. The planned completion date of the works is March 2025.

Two pedestrian tunnels give pedestrians access to the city. Follow the circulation, one tunnel is for pedestrians walking into the city, the other is for pedestrians walking out of the city.

The Last Post continues every day at 8 p.m. in front of the Menin Gate on the bridge (side Hoornwerk, Kiplinglaan and Frenchlaan). The intersection will be closed to traffic at busy times.

(City of Ypres)

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Erwin D.R

December 15, 2020

Menin Gate

The Menin Gate can be considered the general symbol of the First World War.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is the owner and manager of the monument. The official name of the monument is Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

The memorial is designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

He designed this memorial as a classic triumphal arch. But the Menin Gate is also a "memorial to the missing". On the inside are the names of about 55,000 Commonwealth soldiers, who were reported missing before August 15, 1917.

This monument is the setting for the Last Post ceremony every evening.

Every evening at 8 pm sharp the “Last Post” resounds under the Menin Gate. The daily activities stop for a moment to remember the fallen soldiers from WWI.

The Last Post ceremony has been organized by the Last Post Association since 1928. lastpost.be

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Location: Ypres, Ieper, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Menin Gate Memorial

1. Menin Gate Memorial – Rijselpoort (Lille Gate) loop from Ypres

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3. Ypres Ramparts – Menin Gate Memorial loop from Ypres

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