 "World War I: 100 years on")
A century has gone by since World War I began. For four long years, Flanders Fields, the area straddling the Belgian provinces of West Flanders and East Flanders, was the theatre of the war in which over 74,000 Indian soldiers lost their lives. 'The Great War Centenary' - a four-year-long remembrance project that will end in 2018 - takes you back in history through museums, cemeteries, exhibitions and battle sites
PLACES TO EXPLORE
IN FLANDERS FIELDS MUSEUM
At the newly-renovated In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, a new permanent exhibition brings alive personal stories of ordinary people through interactive kiosks. The museum, now double in size, hosts a WWI knowledge centre with around 2,000 original objects and documents on display. Touch screens, interactive poppy bracelet, video projection and soundscapes help the visitors experience life on the front. Visitors can also climb the bell tower for a view of what was once a completely devastated region.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/in-flanders-fields-604756.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.QGB24zeE.dpuf
THE LANGE MAX MUSEUM
The museum, a must-see for those interested in WW1, is situated on the German side of the Western Front. Visitors can learn about the largest cannon of the time that was designed to bombard Dunkirk. Named after the German gun, 'Lange Max', the museum focuses on the German occupation of Koekelare. Monuments like a bakehouse, the artillery platform and a former German mess are part of the site. Here, you can also relax on the terrace enjoying a Kanon bier or homemade pancakes.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/the-lange-max-museum.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.tQGUZhqQ.dpuf
THE MENIN GATE MEMORIAL
The famous war memorial in Flanders is located at a spot that tens of thousands of soldiers passed through on their way to the front. Many never returned. Opened in 1927, the memorial, designed in classical style, bears the names of 54,896 soldiers reported missing in the Ypres Salient - the scene of some of the biggest battles. Every evening at 8 pm, a ceremony takes place under the vast arch of the Menin Gate when buglers from the local fire brigade play 'The Last Post'. This has been a tradition since 1928.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/historic-buildings/menenpoort-604098.jsp#sthash.ZfsjsWYR.dpuf
This memorial behind the Menin Gate is dedicated to the 130,000 Indian soldiers who served in Flanders during the Great War. Thousands died, many due to the severe winter conditions they were exposed to.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/places-and-monuments/indian-forces-memorial.jsp?bc=123796#sthash.
z GBAAMB7.dpuf
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
The hamlet of Lijssenthoek housed the largest evacuation hospital along the Ypres Salient. With the graves of 10,784 soldiers, the cemetery here today bears witness to the war. Through a new application, 'Diaries 14-18', a visitor with a smartphone can follow stories from that time. The images bring the field hospital to life, while sounds evoke noises of the war. A free download is available from Appstore and Google Play.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/cemeteries/lijssenthoek-military-cemetery-1078960.jsp?bc=123791#sthash.
P987ImH6.dpuf
TYNE COT CEMETERY & MEMORIAL
The back wall of this largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission military cemetery in continental Europe is inscribed with the names of 34,957 missing soldiers from the Battle for Passchendaele. The graveyard can be reached from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 along a 3-km walking and cycling path.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/cemeteries/tyne-cot-cemetery-memorial-603863.jsp#sthash.bOpyI4OJ.dpuf
TALBOT HOUSE, EVERY MAN'S CLUB
The well-known WWI soldiers' club has been renovated. A new tablet application, 'Tubby's Story Tablets', has been designed to tell visitors stories about Talbot House which remains the 'Every Man's Club' where visitors can still enjoy a cup of tea and book a room. Talbot House will celebrate its 100th anniversary on December 15, 2015.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/talbot-house-604323.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.Hd8SQkJ1.dpuf
ALFA FLIGHT
Hidden trenches, star-shaped cemeteries and unknown bomb craters - several remnants of the war can only be discovered from the air. One-hour flights with the pilot acting as the guide make that possible.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/battlefield-flights/alfa-flight.jsp?bc=124276#sthash.u3
K4kSMu.dpuf
HELIPROMOTIONS
Battlefield tours by helicopter begin from Diksmuide and cover the war-torn landscape of the Westhoek. There are three different flight options, each of which offers a view of WWI sites from the air.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/battlefield-flights/helipromotions.jsp?bc=124276#sthash.y1mEf0oO.dpuf
FLANDERS FIELDS BATTLEFIELD TOURS
These start from Bruges and include a visit to the German cemetery in Langemark, Tyne Cot Cemetery at Passchendaele, Passchendaele Museum, Menin Gate, Ypres and In Flanders Fields Museum. The tour continues along Hill 60, Hill 62 (craters and bunkers), the hills of Flanders, Mount Kemmel, Messines Ridge, mine craters 1917, trenches and several other war memorials.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/flanders-fields-bus-tours/flanders-fields-battlefield-daytours.jsp?bc=124239#sthash.I0SCxCES.dpuf
For other tours, visit www.visitflanders.in/discover/flanders/
THE WAR IN PICTURES
In 1914, Germany invaded Bruges. Three exhibitions, 'Bruges at War', depict this conflict from both the historical and artistic perspectives. On the ground floor, an exhibition by Sophie De Schaepdrijver presents the little-known story of an occupied city that became the base for the war at sea. On the first floor are two exhibitions: One, by Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer, who has selected and processed historical photographic materials from international collections; the other has Keyzer's works alongside those of nine Magnum photographers. All of them live in countries where WWI played a significant role. The photographs are their reflection of the war.
Where: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge
When: Till February 22, 2015
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/events/great-war-centenary/bruges-at-war.jsp?bc=131124#sthash.QjsJtb38.dpuf
PLACES TO EXPLORE
IN FLANDERS FIELDS MUSEUM
At the newly-renovated In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres, a new permanent exhibition brings alive personal stories of ordinary people through interactive kiosks. The museum, now double in size, hosts a WWI knowledge centre with around 2,000 original objects and documents on display. Touch screens, interactive poppy bracelet, video projection and soundscapes help the visitors experience life on the front. Visitors can also climb the bell tower for a view of what was once a completely devastated region.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/in-flanders-fields-604756.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.QGB24zeE.dpuf
THE LANGE MAX MUSEUM
The museum, a must-see for those interested in WW1, is situated on the German side of the Western Front. Visitors can learn about the largest cannon of the time that was designed to bombard Dunkirk. Named after the German gun, 'Lange Max', the museum focuses on the German occupation of Koekelare. Monuments like a bakehouse, the artillery platform and a former German mess are part of the site. Here, you can also relax on the terrace enjoying a Kanon bier or homemade pancakes.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/the-lange-max-museum.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.tQGUZhqQ.dpuf
THE MENIN GATE MEMORIAL
The famous war memorial in Flanders is located at a spot that tens of thousands of soldiers passed through on their way to the front. Many never returned. Opened in 1927, the memorial, designed in classical style, bears the names of 54,896 soldiers reported missing in the Ypres Salient - the scene of some of the biggest battles. Every evening at 8 pm, a ceremony takes place under the vast arch of the Menin Gate when buglers from the local fire brigade play 'The Last Post'. This has been a tradition since 1928.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/historic-buildings/menenpoort-604098.jsp#sthash.ZfsjsWYR.dpuf
This memorial behind the Menin Gate is dedicated to the 130,000 Indian soldiers who served in Flanders during the Great War. Thousands died, many due to the severe winter conditions they were exposed to.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/places-and-monuments/indian-forces-memorial.jsp?bc=123796#sthash.
z GBAAMB7.dpuf
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
The hamlet of Lijssenthoek housed the largest evacuation hospital along the Ypres Salient. With the graves of 10,784 soldiers, the cemetery here today bears witness to the war. Through a new application, 'Diaries 14-18', a visitor with a smartphone can follow stories from that time. The images bring the field hospital to life, while sounds evoke noises of the war. A free download is available from Appstore and Google Play.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/cemeteries/lijssenthoek-military-cemetery-1078960.jsp?bc=123791#sthash.
P987ImH6.dpuf
TYNE COT CEMETERY & MEMORIAL
The back wall of this largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission military cemetery in continental Europe is inscribed with the names of 34,957 missing soldiers from the Battle for Passchendaele. The graveyard can be reached from the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 along a 3-km walking and cycling path.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/cemeteries/tyne-cot-cemetery-memorial-603863.jsp#sthash.bOpyI4OJ.dpuf
TALBOT HOUSE, EVERY MAN'S CLUB
The well-known WWI soldiers' club has been renovated. A new tablet application, 'Tubby's Story Tablets', has been designed to tell visitors stories about Talbot House which remains the 'Every Man's Club' where visitors can still enjoy a cup of tea and book a room. Talbot House will celebrate its 100th anniversary on December 15, 2015.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/attractions/museums/talbot-house-604323.jsp?bc=123793#sthash.Hd8SQkJ1.dpuf
ALFA FLIGHT
Hidden trenches, star-shaped cemeteries and unknown bomb craters - several remnants of the war can only be discovered from the air. One-hour flights with the pilot acting as the guide make that possible.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/battlefield-flights/alfa-flight.jsp?bc=124276#sthash.u3
K4kSMu.dpuf
HELIPROMOTIONS
Battlefield tours by helicopter begin from Diksmuide and cover the war-torn landscape of the Westhoek. There are three different flight options, each of which offers a view of WWI sites from the air.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/battlefield-flights/helipromotions.jsp?bc=124276#sthash.y1mEf0oO.dpuf
FLANDERS FIELDS BATTLEFIELD TOURS
These start from Bruges and include a visit to the German cemetery in Langemark, Tyne Cot Cemetery at Passchendaele, Passchendaele Museum, Menin Gate, Ypres and In Flanders Fields Museum. The tour continues along Hill 60, Hill 62 (craters and bunkers), the hills of Flanders, Mount Kemmel, Messines Ridge, mine craters 1917, trenches and several other war memorials.
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/activities/flanders-fields-tours/flanders-fields-bus-tours/flanders-fields-battlefield-daytours.jsp?bc=124239#sthash.I0SCxCES.dpuf
For other tours, visit www.visitflanders.in/discover/flanders/
THE WAR IN PICTURES
In 1914, Germany invaded Bruges. Three exhibitions, 'Bruges at War', depict this conflict from both the historical and artistic perspectives. On the ground floor, an exhibition by Sophie De Schaepdrijver presents the little-known story of an occupied city that became the base for the war at sea. On the first floor are two exhibitions: One, by Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer, who has selected and processed historical photographic materials from international collections; the other has Keyzer's works alongside those of nine Magnum photographers. All of them live in countries where WWI played a significant role. The photographs are their reflection of the war.
Where: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge
When: Till February 22, 2015
Info: www.visitflanders.in/what-to-do/events/great-war-centenary/bruges-at-war.jsp?bc=131124#sthash.QjsJtb38.dpuf