Yper Museum

Yper Museum is the city museum of Ypres (Dutch: Ieper), housed inside the famous Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) at Grote Markt 34. It shares this Gothic building with the In Flanders Fields Museum, which focuses on the First World War, while the Yper Museum tells a much longer story of the city's past.

What is the Cloth Hall that houses the museum?

The Cloth Hall of Ypres was first mentioned in historical sources back in 1173, as a covered hall where cloth was traded. Construction of the monumental complex visitors see today began around 1250 and was completed around 1378, making it the largest civil building in the Gothic style in Europe. Its belfry tower has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, together with 31 other belfries in Belgium and France. During the First World War the building was largely destroyed by heavy artillery bombardment, and it was rebuilt afterward.

What history does the Yper Museum tell?

The museum takes visitors on a journey through eleven centuries of the city's history, starting with a Viking invasion in the year 800 and continuing through Ypres reaching its peak as early as 1385, up to the present day. Part of the collection is built around a small set of fragments salvaged from the ruins of the city after wartime destruction. Among the objects on display are badges, maps, archaeological finds, coins, lace, and handicrafts, together painting a picture of the turbulent past of this Flemish trading city.

What makes the museum especially engaging for younger visitors?

The Yper Museum places strong emphasis on interactive experiences. Children can literally sit right in the middle of a giant model of medieval Ypres, giving them a completely different perspective on the city than an adult visitor would get. A special bracelet featuring a cat's paw motif is also part of the visit, turning the tour into a more personal and playful experience, especially for families.

Where exactly is the museum located?

The Yper Museum sits at the very heart of Ypres, on the Grote Markt — the city's main square — inside the Lakenhallen building at Grote Markt 34. This central location makes the museum a natural starting point for exploring the city, standing right next to the belfry tower and the In Flanders Fields Museum dedicated to the history of the Great War.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Yper Museum the same as the In Flanders Fields Museum? No. Both museums share the same Cloth Hall building, but they cover different subjects — the Yper Museum tells eleven centuries of the city's history, while the In Flanders Fields Museum focuses specifically on the First World War.

Where exactly is the museum located? Inside the historic Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) at Grote Markt 34 in Ypres, right in the city center.

Is the museum suitable for children? Yes — it offers interactive elements, including a giant model of the medieval city and a special bracelet that turns the visit into a playful experience.

What historical period does the exhibition cover? The museum covers eleven centuries of Ypres's history, from a Viking invasion in the year 800 to the present day, with particular attention to the city's peak in the 14th century.