From about 6 years of age, I’ve lived in and around Ypres, a small city in Belgium that was important in the Middle Ages due to its cloth industry. This is evidenced in having a cathedral—a church that hosts a bishop—and its massive town square, the Cloth Halls, belfry, and city hall.
During the First World War, it was one of the most important battlefields, and every year—especially on November 11th—the city is flooded by mostly British tourists. I took its history for granted, as it was just “home”, until I started having visitors who were fascinated by the town.
My parents live in the town centre, and one of my favourite running and walking routes is along the “Vestingen”, the old defence walls of the city.
When we visit Belgium, we’ll almost always stay at my parents’ and here are some pics I took in Ypres. Emma Meesseman, Belgium’s best basketball player ever, is from our town, and ahead of the 2024 Olympics, Ypres’ sports halls were adorned with a massive art work of her.
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