Hill 60, World War I battlefield memorial site in Zillebeke, Belgium
Hill 60 is an elevated landform near Ypres that rises distinctly from the flat surroundings and offers views over former battlefields. The hill still bears visible scars from the past with irregular depressions covering its surface.
The hill was the site of intense fighting between German and British troops between 1914 and 1917, involving mining operations and chemical weapons. During the 1917 Battle of Messines, massive explosions permanently altered the landscape.
Several memorials on the hill honor soldiers from different nations who fought here during World War I. These monuments shape the landscape and tell the story of the people who experienced this place.
You can access the site through a gate near the Australian Tunnelling Company memorial, where a small parking area is available. The grounds are freely accessible and you can explore the hilltop and surrounding memorials at your own pace.
The hill still displays craters from mine explosions that were detonated over 100 years ago, making the ground look like a lunar surface. This naturally formed topography is one of the few places where you can see the direct impact of explosions on the landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
