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Hooge Crater Cemetery: A Testament to Sacrifice

Reflect on the sacrifices of WWI soldiers at this solemn and beautifully maintained cemetery near Ypres, Belgium. A poignant historical site.

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Hooge Crater Cemetery, located near Ypres, Belgium, is a poignant reminder of the First World War. It serves as the final resting place for over 5,900 Commonwealth soldiers, many unidentified, who fought and died in the Ypres Salient. The cemetery stands as a solemn tribute to their sacrifice amidst the war's devastation.

A brief summary to Hooge Crater Cemetery

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for a quieter, more reflective experience.
  • Take time to read the informative plaques to gain a deeper understanding of the cemetery's history.
  • Consider combining your visit with a tour of nearby battlefields and memorials for a comprehensive historical experience.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Grote Markt (Main Square) in Ypres, walk south on Menenstraat, continuing for approximately 1.5 kilometers. The cemetery will be on your left, before the intersection with Zonnebeke Road. Allow about 20-25 minutes for the walk. There are no costs associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    From the Ypres bus station (Ieper Vaubanstraat), take bus line 80 towards Zillebeke. Ride for approximately 5 minutes to the 'Zillebeke Bellewaerde' stop. The cemetery is a short walk across the street from the bus stop. A single fare costs €3.

  • Taxi

    A taxi from the center of Ypres to Hooge Crater Cemetery takes approximately 5 minutes. The estimated cost is between €12 and €15. There are no additional tolls or parking fees.

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Discover more about Hooge Crater Cemetery

Hooge Crater Cemetery, situated 4 kilometers east of Ypres on the Menen Road, is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery that marks a place of intense fighting during World War I. The cemetery's name derives from a mine crater created nearby in 1915. The area around Hooge, strategically vital, witnessed constant battles, with the chateau and its grounds changing hands multiple times throughout the war. The cemetery was established in October 1917 by the 7th Division Burial Officer. Initially containing 76 graves, it expanded significantly after the Armistice as bodies were recovered from the surrounding battlefields and smaller cemeteries. Today, the cemetery holds over 5,900 graves, with a large number of soldiers remaining unidentified. Special memorials commemorate those known or believed to be buried among them, or whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. The cemetery's design, by Sir Edwin Lutyens, includes the Stone of Remembrance set within a circular depression symbolizing the mine craters that once dominated the landscape. The Cross of Sacrifice overlooks the cemetery, which slopes down to a viewing platform, offering a powerful and heart-wrenching view of the massed headstones. Visiting Hooge Crater Cemetery provides a space for reflection on the immense sacrifices made during the Great War.

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