Messines Ridge Memorial, World War I memorial site in Mesen, Belgium
Description
Messines Ridge Memorial is a stone monument in Belgium listing 827 names of soldiers who died during World War I in this region without known burial places. The site consists of stone panels designed by a notable architect and sits near the village of Mesen.
History
The memorial was unveiled in 1924 and marks the location where fighting raged during the Battle of Messines in 1917. A mill had previously stood at this site since the middle of the 15th century before the war.
Culture
The memorial bears names of soldiers from a nation thousands of miles away in the southern hemisphere who fought in this conflict. These inscriptions show how far the war reached and how people from distant lands died in this place.
Practical
The memorial is freely accessible year-round and sits close to main roads, making it easy to reach by car. Since the site is open and expansive, weather conditions can affect how walkable the grounds are at different times of year.
Did you know?
A Belgian king attended the unveiling and erected a white obelisk next to the memorial at that time. This additional stone became the center of a park dedicated to the nation from the southern hemisphere.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Mesen).
Island of Ireland Peace Park
644 m
Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing
3.1 km
Pool of Peace
2.4 km
Hill 80
2.7 km
Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery
2.2 km
Lone Tree Cemetery
2.3 km
Hyde Park Corner Cemetery
3.1 km
Berks Cemetery Extension
3.1 km
Saint Nicholas' Church
605 m
Messines Ridge British Cemetery
59 m
Prowse Point Military Cemetery
2.4 km
Rifle House Cemetery
3.3 km
Ploegsteert Wood Military Cemetery
3.2 km
Wytschaete Military Cemetery
2.4 km
Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery
3.3 km
RE Farm Cemetery
2.1 km
Strand Military Cemetery
3.7 km
Bethleem Farm East Cemetery
1.5 km
Cabin Hill Cemetery
1.4 km
Sint-Medarduskerk
2.5 km
Torreken Farm Cemetery No.1
1.9 km
Toronto Avenue Cemetery
2.8 km
Pond Farm Cemetery
3.2 km
Irish House Cemetery
3.4 km
Bethleem Farm West Cemetery
1.3 km
Sint-Machutuskerk
2.6 km
Packhorse Farm Shrine Cemetery
4.1 km
Wulvergem Churchyard
2.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes