27 WWI memorial sites in Flanders Fields recognised as Unesco World Heritage

Buttes New British Cemetery Zonnebeke ©Copper Tree Media
©Copper Tree Media
Flanders has gained an impressive chunk of UNESCO heritage. The World Heritage Committee has officially recognised Flanders' World War I memorial sites as world heritage sites. This includes 27 monuments and cemeteries, such as Tyne Cot Cemetery in Passchendaele and the Menin Gate in Ypres.

These commemorative sites are the backbone of Flanders Fields, a region that was a battleground of the First World War for four years. The many monuments you will find here today symbolise a universal message of peace. They fit into a collection of 139 historical memorials in Flanders (27), Wallonia (16) and France (96). That collection is now recognised as world heritage in its entirety.

With this recognition, UNESCO has designated a material world heritage site in Flanders for the eighth time. Among other things, the historic city centre of Bruges and the centuries-old printing and publishing company Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp have already featured on this prestigious list. So this list now includes the Flanders Fields memorials as well. These monuments were already protected by the Flemish community. There is now an additional honour and responsibility, so that this invaluable heritage is preserved for eternity.

The landscape of Flanders Fields. A witness of World War I

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Dodengang Diksmuide
©Westtoer

Visit Flanders Fields in 48 hours

Do you need some inspiration for your trip to Flanders Fields? These itineraries will give you some great ideas for a trip.

Poppies in Flanders Fields
2 days
Flanders Fields

The general tour

The general tour takes you to the most important historical sights in Flanders Fields.
In Flanders Fields museum
2 days
Flanders Fields

The accessible tour

This tour gives you the opportunity to make the most of your 48 hour visit to Flanders Fields and focuses on places with high levels of accessibility.
Tyne Cot © Jan D'Hondt Ateljé D
© Jan D'Hondt Ateljé D
2 days
Flanders Fields

The Australian tour

This tour gives you the opportunity to make the most of your 48 hour visit to Flanders Fields and focuses on sights of historical importance for the Australian
Talbot House museum
2 days
Flanders Fields

The British tour

This tour gives you the opportunity to make the most of your 48 hour visit to Flanders Fields and focuses on sights of historical importance for the British vis
MESEN_Pool of Peace_ © Jan D'Hondt Ateljé D
© Jan D'Hondt Ateljé D
2 days
Flanders Fields

The Irish tour

This tour gives you the opportunity to make the most of your 48 hour visit to Flanders FIelds and focuses on sights of historical importance for the Irish visit
Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial Waregem
2 days
Flanders Fields

The Canadian tour

This tour focuses on sights of historical importance for the Canadian visitor.
Nine Elms cemetery
2 days
Flanders Fields

The tour for New Zealanders

This tour gives you the opportunity to make the most of your 48 hour visit to Flanders Fields and focuses on sights of historical importance for the visitor.
In Flanders Fields ©In Flanders Fields Museum
©In Flanders Fields Museum

How to get to Flanders Fields?

Plan your trip with the useful travel information on how to get to Flanders and how to visit Flanders Fields.
Talbot House - Every man's club
Flanders Fields

The poppy that became a poem

On 3rd May 1915, Ypres, an officer of the Canadian army is sitting on the rear step of an ambulance. He is looking at the grave of his friend and brother...