In Flanders Field Museum

Advantages: An eye-opening experience, thoroughly absorbing
Disadvantages: Might be too 'real' for some people

...That mark our place, and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields." John McCrae (1872 ...
...floor of the Cloth Hall in the Grote markt, Eiper, or YPRES. The museum opened in 1998, replacing the dated WWI museum that had previously occupied the building. THE CLOTH HALL itself is a magnificent medieval edifice, but what is all the more remarkable is that it was only finally completed in 1962. It's actually a replica of the original town hall that, along with the rest of Ypres, was vapourized during the titanic struggle that took place here ... Read review

Advantages: Fascinating chronicle into the town of Ypres during World War I
Disadvantages: Upsetting to see the evidence of wasted life

...my first spell of working in the Netherlands and one weekend with the help of a friend visiting who'd hired a car, we thought about going to Ypres, Belgium, scene of much trench warfare in World War One. On out way to the Tyne Cot war cemetery (which are quite awe inspiring in themselves), we spent a little time in the pretty main square of Ypres, where we chanced upon this museum just behind the square. YPRES (IEPER) Lying near to the French ...
...warfare during WWI. It was in fact a prosperous town pre-war and was a key place because it led the way towards the rest of Belgium and France for the Germans. There were several big battles as both sides needlessly wasted much human life, the most notable being the Third Battle of Ypres (21 July to 6 November 1917, also known as the Battle of Passchendaele, where Allied forces recaptured the Passchendaele ridge east of the city, at the loss of man ... Read review

Advantages: Good atmosphere, amazing buildings, good shopping
Disadvantages: Very sad, extremly cold in winter!

...Field Museum' which is actually in the Cloth Hall Building, opposite the town hall of Poperinge. They are situated in the ancient Grote Market which has a nice atmosphere. They were both completely destroyed but rebuilt again, the Cloth Hall being finished in the 1960's. It is very authentic and really looks like it has been there for 800 years. The museum is excellent and great value for 3.50 euros per ticket, as there is just so much to see. It is very interactive and at the start you are given a swipe card to use. The swipe card contains the details of a soldier who fought in the war. You swipe it through on the computer and up comes the person's details. Some of the details are really fascinating. There are lots of displays: from miniature recreations in clay of battle scenes, to portraits of soldiers who fought. There is also a good... Read review

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Advantages: Interesting and fairly comprehensive history of 20th century warfare
Disadvantages: Far too many school trips

...plenty). As I'm particularly interested in the history of WW1, this was probably the main attraction here for me. I wasn't disappointed. There's an amazing amount and variety of artifacts on display, along with detailed information about the different phases and aspects of the war. I've visited many, dedicated WW1 museums, and while this one is very good, I don't think it's quite on a par with the In Flanders Field Museum in Ypres. However, The TRENCH EXPERIENCE was exceptional. You enter a darkened corridor which is actually a simulation of a trench system. There are constant flashes, and attendant booming, which gives a reasonable impression of an artillery barrage. The sound effects also include shouting and crying, rattling machine guns and a whole cacophony of battlefield noises. Life-size models are in various poses and attitudes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful