Things to do in West Flanders Province, Flanders: The Best Museums

The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 presents the historic story of the First World War in a poignant and vivid way, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of Passchendaele. This battle in 1917 is known as one of the most horrific battles from the First World War, with more than half-a-million casualties for a territorial gain of merely eight kilometres. ‘Passchendaele’ not only became a concept in the history of the First World War, it also became a symbol of the great futility of the violence of war in all its horror. The Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 combines the interactive design of a modern museum with the exceptional aspect of experiencing the Dugouts & Trenches. Last admission at 16:30.

Our Mission No inhabitant of the "Zwinstreek" and West Zeeland Flanders was spared repression and hardship between 1940 and 1944. This dark period in our history is the museum’s main theme. It is precisely this phase of our local past that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren, in the hope that such war violence will not be repeated. Young people need to know that freedom has a price, a price our ancestors paid with hard currency. We must cherish freedom. This important message of peace and tolerance is given daily in the For Freedom Museum.

Kindvriendelijk natuurhistorisch museum gespecialiseerd in schedels, skeletten en fossielen van gewervelde dieren uit heel de wereld. Interactieve zoek- en doe-opdrachtjes voor jong en oud. Gratis koffie. Persoonlijke ontvangst door de stichters Luc en Leentje. Openingstijden: in schoolvakanties zo-ma-woe-do van 10h00 tot 17h00 doorlopend. Alle andere dagen van het jaar op afspraak.

The Groeninge Museum provides a varied overview of the history of Belgian visual art, with as highlight the world-renowned Flemish primitives. In this museum you can see, amongst other masterpieces, The Virgin and Child with Canon Van der Paele by Jan van Eyck and the Moreel Triptych by Hans Memling. You will also marvel at the top 18th and 19th-century neoclassical pieces, masterpieces of Flemish Expressionism and post-war modern art.

The Ypres region was the backdrop to on of the bloodiest battles in history, 100 years ago. Now the last witness have died too, the In Flanders Fields Museum is more than ever the gateway to the First World War in Flanders. The In Flanders Fields Museum confronts the visitor with the consequences of the Great War. Old and young are faced with life and death in the Ypres front region. The exhibition with touching video projects, unique sound fragments and the most up-to-date multimedia applications immerse you in the life at the front. each visitor also receives a poppy bracelet that enables him/her to discover four personal stories of 'Joe Public' in the Great War. By logging in you can meet your peers in the war, a century ago.

Full scale reconstructions of war scenes, an extended collection of weapons, war equipment and photos make this museum to a true must-see!The chapel, in which the museum is located, dates back from the early twenties. This chapel was built directly across the Hooge Crater cemetery in memory of the many fallen soldiers on the battle fields of ‘Hooge’ over a period of 4 years. Rare military clothing of the troops, that where fighting in the ‘Ypres Salient’ (Ieperboog) are exposed in glass displays. Also you can see some full scale scenes of the Great War battle fields, very authentically reproduced. The theme of the scenes is very divers: German bunkers, British trenches and full scale horses with cavalry troops on their backs.

In accordance with the instructions of the National Security Council, you must book your visit in advance. You can do so by means of the online ticket system. See www.raversyde.be Raversyde has developed a circulation plan for both its sites, making sure visitors virtually always go in one direction and do not cross the path of other visitors. At the ANNO 1465 site, you can enter two of the four cottages; you can look inside through the windows of the other two. The rest of the museum is fully accessible save for a few minor elements. The audio guides are currently unavailable. At the Atlantikwall site, we have developed a completely new route avoiding any covered and narrow spaces. You cannot enter most of the bunkers. You can look inside several bunkers and large photo panels showing the interior of the closed spaces have been installed. Additional information panels have been installed to replace the audio guides, which are not handed out.

In accordance with the instructions of the National Security Council, you must book your visit in advance. You can do so by means of the online ticket system. See www.raversyde.be Raversyde has developed a circulation plan for both its sites, making sure visitors virtually always go in one direction and do not cross the path of other visitors. At the ANNO 1465 site, you can enter two of the four cottages; you can look inside through the windows of the other two. The rest of the museum is fully accessible save for a few minor elements. The audio guides are currently unavailable. At the Atlantikwall site, we have developed a completely new route avoiding any covered and narrow spaces. You cannot enter most of the bunkers. You can look inside several bunkers and large photo panels showing the interior of the closed spaces have been installed. Additional information panels have been installed to replace the audio guides, which are not handed out. Dogs are not allowed