Menin Gate, War memorial in Ypres, Belgium.
The Menin Gate is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium, with panels bearing the names of 54,896 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient during World War I and have no known grave. The massive Portland limestone structure spans the road and forms a passageway, its interior walls covered with stone panels arranged by regiment and rank.
Architect Reginald Blomfield designed the gate, which was unveiled on July 24, 1927, replacing an older narrow city gate through which soldiers marched toward the front. The choice of location reflected the memory of the route many men took before they did not return.
Every evening at 8 PM, buglers stop traffic under the archway to play a short melody that has honored soldiers for nearly a century. The ceremony gathers locals and visitors who stand still while the sound echoes through the arch, turning the street into a memorial space for a few minutes.
Visitors can view the name panels freely, as the memorial remains open around the clock and still functions as a street passage. Those seeking a specific name will find the panels organized by regiment, making orientation easier.
During the German occupation in World War II, musicians continued the ceremony in exile at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England. The tradition returned to Ypres in September 1944 as soon as the town was liberated, without a single break in intent.
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