The Menin Gate is a memorial arch in Ypres, Belgium, inscribed with the names of more than 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers from the Ypres Salient who died in the First World War and have no known grave. A road still runs through its central passage, so traffic passes beneath the names as it did when troops marched out to the front. Every evening at 8pm, buglers from the local fire brigade play the Last Post under the arch while the traffic is stopped. Stay for the ceremony, then walk the gardens on either side of the gate.
Who the names belong to
The gate lists British and Commonwealth soldiers who fought in the Ypres Salient, the stretch of front line around the town. These men died in the area, and their bodies were never found or identified, so they have no grave. The names are arranged by regiment and include soldiers from Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
The walls could not hold every name. The remaining missing men from the Ypres area are recorded on the Tyne Cot Memorial near Passchendaele.
From the medieval gate to the memorial
The memorial stands where a medieval gate in the town walls once stood. Troops left through this gateway on the road to the front lines, which is why the site was chosen for the memorial.
Sir Reginald Blomfield, a British architect, designed the structure in a classic style. Its large arch resembles a Roman triumphal arch. The memorial was unveiled in 1927, and the British built it to commemorate the missing dead of the Commonwealth.
The Last Post ceremony
Since 1928, buglers have played the Last Post at the gate every evening at 8pm. The Last Post is the bugle call that marked the end of the day in the British Army. Police stop the traffic passing under the arch, and the buglers play in the open road.
The buglers are volunteers from the Ieper fire department and the Last Post Association. On some evenings, pipers, cadet groups or a military band join them. The ceremony lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
The ceremony was not held every day during the Second World War. Since then it has continued each evening. On 11 November, a poppy parade walks from St George's Memorial Church to the gate.
Visiting the gate
Entry to the memorial is free. Walkers can pass through the arch and look up at the names, and the gardens on either side are open for a quieter walk. The gate has been cleaned and restored in recent years, and scaffolding has been taken down.
A newer sculpture stands near the gate. It shows a soldier and is made from old car and mechanical parts. It honours Gurkha and other Commonwealth soldiers.
The entrance, seating and parking lot are wheelchair accessible. The gate is a short walk from the Cloth Hall, which houses the In Flanders Fields Museum. St Martin's Cathedral and St George's Memorial Church are also nearby, and both are good stops before or after the ceremony.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for the Menin Gate?
No. The memorial is free to visit, and the arch is open to walkers and traffic.
What time is the Last Post ceremony?
The Last Post is played every evening at 8pm. It has been held there since 1928, except during the Second World War.
How long does the Last Post ceremony last?
The ceremony lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
Is the Menin Gate wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The entrance, seating and parking lot are listed as wheelchair accessible.
