Hooge Crater Museum: A Window into WWI

The Hooge Crater Museum stands as a powerful reminder of the First World War's impact on the Ypres Salient. Located on the Menin Road, about 4 kilometers east of Ypres, the museum occupies a restored chapel built in the 1920s to commemorate the fallen. This area was one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the British front, witnessing horrors like mines, gas, and flamethrowers. The museum's collection includes weapons, uniforms, equipment, and photographs, offering a comprehensive view of the war. Life-size reconstructions of battle scenes and trenches provide an immersive experience, highlighting the daily realities faced by soldiers. A replica Fokker Triplane and a Ford Model T ambulance add to the authenticity. Founded in 1994 by the De Smul family and later acquired by Niek and Ilse Benoot-Watteyne in 2009, the museum has become a leading private WWI museum in Belgium. The adjacent Hooge Crater Cemetery and the nearby open-air museum at the Hooge Crater site further enrich the experience, connecting visitors to the physical landscape of the war. The museum also features a café in the former village school, offering refreshments and a space for reflection. Since 2021, the museum has offered an interactive family trail designed to engage younger visitors, ensuring that the history of the Great War is passed on to future generations.