Menin Gate restoration
Menin Gate receives elixir of life through restoration, marking bright future for this significant Commonwealth WWI Memorial
Explore the history of the Menin Gate at a new free exhibition in Ypres, Flanders
Unveiled on 24 July 1927, the Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper, Flanders records the names of more than 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers – including 6000 Australians – who lie in unknown graves across the WWI battlefields of the Western Front. Since it opened, an incredibly moving Last Post ceremony has been held each evening at 8pm at this monumental memorial gate, attracting thousands of travellers every year to the town of Ypres (Ieper) in Flanders. The Last Post ceremony has taken place every night since 2 July 1928, except for two years during Nazi occupation of Ypres (Ieper) in WW2.
In 2027, the Menin Gate will mark 100 years, and ahead of its centenary, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is undertaking full-scale restoration works to guarantee its long-term preservation.
Throughout the restoration, the nightly moving Menin Gate Last Post ceremony will continue uninterrupted, taking place at 8pm each evening on the fortifications adjacent the memorial. And from June 2023, a special Menin Gate Moments exhibition showcasing works by artist Tom Cole opens at the CWGC Centre in Ieper inviting visitors to discover the story of this significant monument – entry is free with the exhibition set to run for the duration of the restoration.
Each year, thousands of Australians visit the Western Front, with a visit to Ieper (Ypres) and attendance at the Last Post ceremony considered a must-do by most travellers – with the Menin Gate and its Last Post ceremony voted the number one and two attractions and activities in the region.
Australia’s leading battlefield tour operator, Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, considers the Last Post at Menin Gate an essential and highlight experience. All of Mat McLachlan’s Western Front itineraries include this special ceremony, with two travellers from each of the company’s tour groups taking part in the ceremony to lay a wreath on behalf of the group. This will continue throughout the restoration process.
During the restoration, a digital recreation of the memorial will be located on the ramparts beside the gate, with scaffolding required during much of the works. At the nearby CWGC Ieper Information Centre (Ypres, Belgium), visitors can consult a virtual list of the names inscribed on the monument, as well as uncovering the story of the Menin Gate through the new Menin Gate Moments exhibition.
The restoration works will take approximately two years and are being funded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with support from the Flemish Government. Works will include:
Repairs and complete repointing of the facades, with the natural stone elements restored and cleaned and repairs to the cellars, stair towers and ceilings.
The removal of the asbestos-containing layer on the inner vault, replacing of the roof waterproofing and installation of a new eco-roof.
Name panels throughout the memorial will be assessed and restoration carried out by stonemasons as required.
For more information on the Menin Gate Moments exhibition visit https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/menin-gate-memorial/menin-gate-moments/
For more information on the Menin Gate restoration, visit https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/menin-gate-memorial/
Flanders is the Dutch-speaking northern portion of Belgium, bordering the northernmost part of France. During WWI, Australian battalions served on the frontlines throughout Flanders and this region was the site of the bloodiest battle in our nation’s history – the Battle of Passchendaele. Today, Flanders is a rich, vibrant place to visit inviting guests to explore battlefield history, the region’s medieval beginnings, culture, nature, culinary experiences and more. www.visitflanders.com
Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours is a partner of VISITFLANDERS, collaborating with this significant Australian battlefield region to highlight what travellers can see and do today when visiting Flanders. www.battlefields.com.au