10/14 Monday Day Bruges • Optional Flanders Field tour Day 16 Grand Circle Travel, Total travel Day 49. Ave. Temps - 59 high, 50 low. Ave. weather - 45% mostly cloudy 32% rain.
According to my phone, I took 10,999 steps today and walked 4.3 miles.
Join us this afternoon and evening for an optional excursion to Flanders Field, a museum commemorating World War I. You’ll travel to the city of Ypres, now known as
the “City of Peace,” and visit the interactive Flanders Field Museum, where you’ll learn about the Great War and then tour the battlefields. After dinner at a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Menin Gate Memorial and listen to the buglers from the local fire brigade who play every night in remembrance of those lost in the war.
Flanders Field Museum was very interesting. Stories included the invasion of Belgium, beginning of mobilizations, trench war for four years, the end of the war and remembrance. Personal stories of how the war affected people of different nationalities personalized the experience. Equipment used for medical purposes, gas masks and munitions were included.
On August 4, 1914, The German army invaded Belgium. In Oct/Nov1914, the first battle of Ypres/Battle of Flanders was trench warfare with more than 100,000 casualties. Opening the locks caused flooding and helped to stop the Germans. Both sides dug themselves in along the Western Front. Bread rationing began in 1/1915. March of 1915, several thousand women demonstrated for peace before the German Parliament. In the second battle of Ypres (4/22-5/15, 1915), the Germans surprise attack included poison chlorine gas, Ten thousand allied troops were impacted and about half of them died. The Germans did not realize the full effect of the gas. There were 100,000 casualties. The Allied forces battled back with underground mines. May of 1915, a German u-boat sank the Lusitania and 1,198 drowned. In 4/1916, Belgian workers, equal numbers of men and women, were deported to Germany to work. On 5/1916, anti-war demonstrations took place in Germany. May of 1916, Woodrow Wilson put pressure on Germany and they end the submarine warfare. April of 1917, Pres. Wilson declares war. From July 31 - Nov 10, 1917, the third battle of Ypres has British artillery firing 4,283,550 shells at the German lines with 400,000-800,000 casualties. This was the first time the Germans used mustard gas which blistered skin, eyes, lungs and killed thousands of soldiers in a slow, painful way. The fourth battle between April 9-29, 1918 had about 200,000 casualties. The fifth battle of Ypres took place between Sept 28 -Oct 2, 1918 with Allied casualties at 10,000 and German casualties unknown. The town of Ypres was destroyed and was rebuilt exactly as it was before the war.
There are 160 cemeteries within twenty-five square miles holding over 500,000 men. Belgium gave the land for the Allies. Four German cemeteries are somber, depressing and dark and Germany must pay rent. On average 200 tons of iron are brought up out of the ground each year. Some rounds are live. The Belgian Bomb Disposal Unit collects these bombs and gas canisters. The backlog for destroying them is 26,000.
TOUR INFO
• Included Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodations: Grand Hotel Casselbergh Bruges or similar
TOUR INFO. In Markt square, there is an 83-meter medieval tower from the 13th century with a 47-bell carillon called the Belfry of Bruges. Pay a fee and climb the 366 steps and enjoy views of the city. This is another component of the UNESCO world heritage site. The tower's bells regulated daily life with hourly chimes, fire alarms, work hours, etc. The bells vary in weight from two pounds to 11,000 pounds.
Tour info. “Introduction to BRUGES, BELGIUM offers canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. In the center of town is the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) with an ornately carved ceiling, located in Burg Square.”
"Originally a ninth-century fortress built to protect the Flemish coast from marauding Vikings, Bruges today retains its reputation as one of Europe’s best-preserved Old-World cities. The city’s centuries-old canal system, which was essential to its once thriving textile industry, has beckoned tourists to meander its narrow, winding streets in search of art, history, and fine chocolates for nearly two centuries."
The city was occupied in both WWI and WWII and did not suffer any damage. The port of Zeebrugge has been an important part of Bruges' history.
"After breakfast, set off on a walking tour of this former capital of Flanders, Bruge is still defined by its canals. Dating from the 13th century, Bruges is a living museum and a treasure trove of fine architecture. From the 13th to the 15th centuries, Bruges was the most important trading center in Northern Europe, based largely on its thriving wool and textile industries. You’ll see signs of this mercantile history in the beautiful houses built by wealthy textile merchants.
Your walking tour takes you to Church of Our Lady and to Market Square, with its distinctive belfry tower and carillon of 47 bells. You also see (the outside of) the Holy Blood Chapel. Your tour continues with a look at Bruges from another vantage point—aboard a canal boat. Then you’ll visit a lace shop to see some of the world’s finest lacemakers at work. (We saw a woman do a brief demonstration.) You’ll enjoy some free time to have lunch on your own and to explore independently. If you like, you can remain in town for shopping and independent explorations.
Tour info - Join us this afternoon and evening for an optional excursion to Flanders Field, a museum commemorating World War I. You’ll travel to the city of Ypres, now known as
the “City of Peace,” and visit the interactive Flanders Field Museum, where you’ll learn about the Great War and then tour the battlefields. After dinner at a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Menin Gate Memorial and listen to the buglers from the local fire brigade who play there every night in remembrance of those lost in the war.
Flanders Field Museum was very interesting. Stories included the invasion of Belgium, beginning of mobilizations, trench war for four years, the end of the war and remembrance. Personal stories of how the war affected people of different nationalities personalized the experience. Equipment used for medical purposes, gas masks and munitions were included.
OPTIONAL TOURS Flanders Field
(Day 2 $130 per person)
Join us this afternoon and evening for an optional excursion to Flanders Field, a museum commemorating World War I. You will travel to the city of Ypres, now known as the “City of Peace,” and visit the interactive Flanders Field Museum, where you’ll learn about the Great War and then tour the battlefields. After dinner at a local restaurant, you’ll visit the Menin Gate Memorial and listen to the buglers from the local fire brigade who play there every night in remembrance of those lost in the war. The cost of this optional excursion includes dinner.
My info
Introduction to BRUGES, BELGIUM offers canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings. In the center of town is the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) with an ornately carved ceiling, located in Burg Square.
In Markt Square, there is an 83-meter medieval tower from the 13th century with a 47-bell carillon called the Belfry of Bruges. Pay a fee and climb the 366 steps and enjoy views of the city. This is another component of the UNESCO world heritage site. The tower's bells regulated daily life with hourly chimes, fire alarms, work hours, etc. The bells vary in weight from two pounds to 11,000 pounds. (Pictured below).
Belfry of Bruges Carillon Tower is played live on three mornings each week.
Bruges was occupied in both WWI and WWII and did not suffer any damage. The port of Zeebrugge has been an important part of Bruges' history. The city’s center is a UNESCO site.
Church of Our Lady has wonderful architecture and beautiful works of art and stained glass. Pay 4 Euro to see the Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child (1504), said to be the only work of his that was exported out of Italy. The tower is 379 ft in height. It is the second tallest brickwork tower in the world.
Markt of Bruges offers historical highlights including the 12-century Belfry of Bruges (first picture in this post), neo-Gothic West Flanders Provincial Court and statue of Jan Breydel, a butcher and Peter de Coninck, a weaver. The two patriotic heroes (pictured below) led a violent uprising against Philip the Fair, then Willem van Saeftinghe and then the Count of Flanders.
Stadhuis or Old Town Hall (1376) is the Gothic building with the flags. Just to the left is the opening that leads to Blind Donkey Alley and the fish market. The Renaissance period Old Civil Registry (1537) is to the right. It was once the Old Court House.
Pictured below is The Palace of the Liberty of Bruges, the center of government from the late Middle Ages until 1795. This palace later served as the Old Court House for nearly 200 years. Atop the building's large, central dormer stands a bronzed statue of the blindfolded Lady Justice and on either side of Justice, on a pair of smaller dormers, are statues of Moses and Aaron, also in bronze.
Government Building
Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Basilica of the Holy Blood Chapel is Roman Catholic and houses the relic of the Holy Blood. It is located on Burg Square. The relic is said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ. The phial is made of rock crystal and was a Byzantine perfume bottle. It is sealed and has never been opened.
Art of Lace Making - I have never seen anything so complicated done so quickly. You need to watch a YouTube video. The process is amazing. They use pins, bobbins, thread and do a lot of twisting. They make whole stitches and half stitches. A whole stitch requires moving two sets of two bobbins. You must keep your bobbins in proper order Then you need to put a pin in and you need to cover with a whole stitch again. I was amazed at how quickly they do this. Pictured below.
Flanders Field is an optional tour. On August 4, 1914, The German army invaded Belgium. In Oct/Nov1914, the first battle of Ypres/Battle of Flanders was trench warfare with more than 100,000 casualties. Opening the locks caused flooding and helped to stop the Germans. Both sides dug themselves in along the Western Front. Bread rationing began in 1/1915. March of 1915, several thousand women demonstrated for peace before the German Parliament. In the second battle of Ypres (4/22 -5/15, 1915), the Germans surprise attack included poison chlorine gas, Ten thousand allied troops were impacted and about half of them died. The Germans did not realize the full effect of the gas. There were 100,000 casualties.
The fields today where the poison chlorine gas was released when the wind was blowing in the right direction.
The Allied forces battled back with underground mines. May of 1915, a German u-boat sank the Lusitania and 1,198 drowned. In 4/1916, Belgian workers, equal numbers of men and women, were deported to Germany to work. On 5/1916, anti-war demonstrations took place in Germany. May of 1916, Woodrow Wilson put pressure on Germany and they end submarine warfare. April of 1917, Pres. Wilson declares war. From July 31 - Nov 10, 1917, the third battle of Ypres has British artillery firing 4,283,550 shells at the German lines with 400,000-800,000 casualties. This was the first time the Germans used mustard gas which blistered skin, eyes, lungs and killed thousands of soldiers in a slow, painful way. The fourth battle between April 9-29, 1918 had about 200,000 casualties. The fifth battle of Ypres took place between Sept 28 -Oct 2, 1918 with Allied casualties at 10,000 and German casualties unknown.
Bunkers are buried along the trenches. The wounded were sorted there. Some bandaged and returned to battle, some sent for more serious medical attention and some given morphine to ease their passing. During battles, iron doors were closed and the only air came in through a six-inch pipe out through the top while the injured lay close together in the dark.
Bunkers where the injured soldiers were sorted.
Some trenches have been preserved.
The town of Ypres was destroyed and was rebuilt exactly as it was before the war.
There are 160 cemeteries within twenty-five square miles holding over 500,000 men. Belgium gave the land for the Allies. Four German cemeteries are somber, depressing and dark and Germany must pay rent. On average 200 tons of iron are brought up out of the ground each year. Some rounds are live. The Belgian Bomb Disposal Unit collects these bombs and gas canisters. The backlog for destroying them is 26,000.
Tyne Cot War Cemetery with markers and also names listed on the wall surrounding the Cemetery. It is the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world with almost 12,000 headstones and panels.
This cross is located in the Tyne Cot Cemetery.
Menin Gate’s Last Post Ceremony takes place at 8:00 PM every day since 1928 in memory of the British soldiers who gave their lives for the Belgian people. The Menin Gate is a war memorial for British and Commonwealth soldiers whose bodies were never found. The huge Hall of Memory contains the names of 54,896 soldiers. Menin Gate is pictured below.
Menin’s Gate. Moving ceremony 8:00.
Great day. Walked around taking pictures from 8-9:00. Walking tour 9:00-11:40. Quick lunch. World War I Excursion. Home about 9:15. Getting organized for tomorrow and flight to Manchester on Wednesday. Reorganizing for flight to Philadelphia Thursday. I have a lot more pictures from today, but another busy day tomorrow so going to bed.
