The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Slagveld Passendale

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world, located near Passchendaele. It was established in October 1917 and contains over 11,000 graves of soldiers who died during the First World War. The site was strategically important during the Battle of Passchendaele and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture by the 3rd Australian Division on 4 October 1917. The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and includes an impressive Cross of Sacrifice, built on a former German bunker. The cemetery was significantly expanded after the Armistice to include graves from nearby battlefields and smaller cemeteries.

A poignant anecdote about Tyne Cot Cemetery concerns the father and son, Lieutenant Colonel Harry Moorhouse and Captain Ronald Moorhouse. Both served with the 4th Battalion, the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and were killed within an hour of each other during the Third Battle of Ypres. Harry Moorhouse was seeking medical attention for his badly wounded son when he himself was killed. Their bodies were never recovered, but their names are immortalised on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Before visiting Tyne Cot Cemetery, it is best to take some time to get to know the reception building – experience area. In various educational ways, visitors will be introduced to the horror of the Battle of Passchendaele. Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest British military cemetery on the European mainland.

Before visiting Tyne Cot Cemetery, it is best to take some time to get acquainted with the reception building - experience space. As a visitor, you will become acquainted with the horror of the Battle of Passchendaele in various educational ways. Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest British military cemetery on the European mainland.

Monument commemorating the Third Battle of Ypres, in which Passchendaele was captured from the Germans after 100 days and major losses. In the final phase, the Australian and New Zealand troops were relieved by Canadian troops. These reached the hills southwest of Passchendaele (Goudberg and Crest Farm) on October 30. From there, Passchendaele could be reached: a territorial gain of several hundred meters at the cost of 15,000 to 16,000 Canadians killed. Crest Farm, located on a height, was finally captured by the Canadians on November 30. The village, or what was left of it, had to be surrendered to the Germans again in the spring of 1918. The current monument stands on the site where Crest Farm once stood. It was founded after 1923. The monument is a small artificial hill that is accessed via a bluestone staircase. On the hill is a circular platform with a block of Quebec granite in the center. There is also an orientation table and an information table. Source: Wikipedia

'Silent City Meets Living City' is the experience you will have at Tyne Cot Cemetery. Visitors experience a moment of reflection with the past. Row upon row and side by side, almost 12,000 fallen brotherly rest here at Tyne Cot Cemetery. And line after line, more than 35,000 written names of missing soldiers were forever engraved in the memorial walls and niches. Just madness when you know that young heroes are being commemorated here in a 'silent city'. Visitors experience a moment of reflection with the past. A place of respect, “they gave their young lives for our freedom”. … I myself was present on October 14, 2017 at the vigil, organized by Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, and stood at the grave of W.J.EASDEN 22/08/1917. Since then I try to visit this Silent City regularly.

Crest Farm - The Passchendaele Canadian Memorial End of a frenzied offensive… The Canadian Crest Memorial is located on the highest peak of the ridge around Ypres with a beautiful view of Passchendaele church. The memorial park exudes serenity. At the end of Canadalaan is a small heroic arch “The Canada Gate” in memory of those who took part in the frenzied offensive – the 3rd Battle of Passchendaele. The offensive ended at this location on November 10, 1917. After 100 days of fighting, more than 240,000 soldiers were killed on the Allied side. More than 220,000 soldiers were killed on the German side. A high toll for only 8 km of terrain gain.

Originally there was a Romanesque church building here. This was renovated in 1663, during which, among other things, the church was reoriented: the choir was placed on the west side. In 1904 the church was demolished and a new church was built just south of it. The Romanesque choir now became a side choir and the northern transept became a baptistery. Moreover, the new church was oriented again. During the First World War the church was destroyed and rebuilt in 1920 to its 1904 situation. The architect was Alfons De Pauw. Source: https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Audomaruskerk_(Passendale)