Overview:

is a Roman Catholic church located in the heart of the historic city of Ypres in western Belgium. This 17th-century baroque building is dedicated to St. Martin of Tours and stands as an impressive reminder of the once thriving medieval city. It was built on the site of the former 13th-century church and features a splendid Baroque façade, a 161 foot tower and the much-visited Grave of the Unknown Soldier. It also houses several important artifacts from the local area. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

St. Martin's Cathedral is one of the most popular landmarks in Ypres, Belgium. It is a 12th century Gothic church that is known for its unique style of architecture and its ornate decorations. The cathedral is remarkable for its tall and narrow nave, which is composed of three aisles and three transepts, giving the overall interior structure an impressive size. Inside the cathedral, visitors can admire the ornate decorations of the choir, including the pulpit and the impressive altarpiece. There are also many other important features, including a majestic organ with over 5000 pipes, as well as numerous stained glass windows that depict scenes from the bible. Other features of St. Martin's Cathedral include a large bell tower, a detailed façade and an impressive crypt. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

St. Martin’s Cathedral in Ypres (Ieper in Flemish), Belgium is a Gothic-style church originally built in the 13th century as the base of the bishopric of Ypres. The cathedral was transformed in the 16th century in the Flemish Gothic style. The nave has a length of 70 metres and the choir has a unique shape of an irregular triangle. Because of the location of Ypres in the middle of Belgium, it has been the target of wars many times in the course of its long history. During the First World War, Ypres was heavily shelled with mustard gas in an effort to break the British lines. In the process, more than 80 per cent of the city was destroyed, including St. Martin’s Cathedral. Yet even in its ruin, the architecture of St. Martin’s survived and over time it was restored to state which resembled the original church. The reconstruction took 24 years and was funded by the city of Ypres and the Province of West Flanders. The new building was inaugurated in 1929, and now sees over 200,000 visitors a year. Today, as a symbol of peace and reconciliation, St. Martin’s Cathedral has been the site of several important ceremonies, including a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of World War I held in 1998. It also regularly holds concerts and other cultural events, and is an important destination on the Ypres tourist trail. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. St. Martin's Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Belgium, built in 1065 AD. 2. The current St. Martin's Cathedral is actually the fourth cathedral that has stood on site. 3. The first three cathedrals were destroyed by fires that occurred over the centuries. 4. The cathedral is also the only one in Belgium to feature a transept, and is a major attraction in Ypres. 5. Because of its age and role in history, St. Martin's Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 6. St. Martin’s Cathedral is also one of the most visited religious sites in Belgium with over 1.2 million visitors annually. 7. In 1982 the canonization of St. Bergulph took place in St. Martin's Cathedral. 8. The cathedral is home to a collection of valuable artifacts including a 12th century wooden Madonna and Child, and the 14th century Man of Sorrows by Jacques Daret. 9. During World War I, St. Martin's Cathedral was almost completely destroyed by shelling. 10. After the war, restoration of the cathedral commenced and was completed in 1928. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era