Lille Gate, Medieval gate in Ypres, Belgium
The Lille Gate is a city gate in Ypres featuring two round towers connected by a bridge. This bridge spans both a road passage and a vaulted waterway that carries the Ieperlee river underneath.
The round towers were built in 1385 during Burgundian rule and later served as headquarters for British military units in World War I. This shift shows how the structure adapted to different historical periods.
The gate still displays original war graves commission markers that directed soldiers toward burial sites in the surrounding region. These signs reflect how the place served as a waypoint for those paying respects to fallen soldiers.
The gate is located south of Ypres town center and is easily reached on foot from the market square. Walking there gives you a chance to explore the surrounding streets and get a sense of the historic area.
A lock system sits beneath the western tower within the vaulted waterway, controlling the flow of the Ieperlee river. This engineering detail reveals how medieval builders had to manage both water flow and passage in one structure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
