Saint-Charles de Potyze Military Cemetery, French military cemetery in Ypres, Belgium.
Saint-Charles de Potyze Military Cemetery is a French military burial ground in Ypres containing thousands of graves and an ossuary for unidentified soldiers. The site features neatly arranged burial plots with standardized headstones organized in rows across the landscaped grounds.
Chemical weapons were first deployed here on April 22, 1915, when German forces attacked French troops during fighting near Ypres. The cemetery was subsequently established to honor the many soldiers killed during this battle and subsequent campaigns in the region.
The Breton Calvaire Monument displays three-dimensional sculptures of mourning women at the base of a cross, representing wartime loss and grief. This artistic expression creates a space where visitors can contemplate the human cost of war.
The cemetery is located northeast of Potyze village and is open to visitors year-round. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the grounds can be muddy or uneven depending on recent weather.
The cemetery underwent three separate reconstruction phases between 1920 and 1929 as fallen soldiers from various burial sites were moved to this central location. This gradual consolidation process reflects the post-war efforts to honor and properly memorialize those who died.
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