Menin Gate, Ypres

The Menin Gate stands as a poignant memorial in the historic city of Ypres, Belgium, dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres Salient of World War I and whose graves are unknown. This grandiose archway, inaugurated on July 24, 1927, is more than a mere monument; it is a site of remembrance and reflection, bearing the names of over 54,000 fallen servicemen.

Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, the Menin Gate's classical structure is a testament to the sacrifice of those who fought in one of the war's most brutal theaters. The hall of memory within the gate lists thousands of names, engraved into vast panels of Portland stone, ensuring that the memory of the missing endures through the ages.

Every evening at 8 p.m., traffic around the Menin Gate comes to a standstill as the Last Post ceremony is conducted by the local fire brigade. This solemn tradition has been carried out almost without interruption since 1928, with the buglers sounding the Last Post, followed by a minute of silence in honor of those who never returned.

Visitors to Ypres can attend this moving ceremony and also explore the gate's impressive architecture, which includes a central hall and staircases leading to the upper ramparts, providing a view of the surrounding area where many battles were fought.