Part 12 (1/2)

Almost opposite, at No. 68, was the old 14th century =Templars' House=, since turned into a post-office (photo, p. 96). The Church of St. Pierre is next reached.

[Ill.u.s.tration: RUINS OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH (_see above_)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. PETER'S CHURCH. THE CHOIR (_See below._)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. PETER'S CHURCH, THE CHOIR BEFORE THE WAR (_photo, Antony, Ypres_)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE RAMPARTS, LILLE GATE AND ST. PETER'S CHURCH (_Photo, Antony, Ypres._) _See below._]

This 11th century church had been largely rebuilt. The facade was surmounted by a substantial square tower, flanked by four corner turrets and crowned by an octagonal spire rebuilt in 1868.

[Ill.u.s.tration: AFTER FOUR YEARS' BOMBARDMENTS (_see above_).]

Inside, lofty columns supported the springing of the large irregular arches. There was no vaulting, the church having a timber-work roof in shape of an inverted keel. In it were a 16th century altar, large carved pulpit and a fine choir-screen.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE RUIN OF YPRES TAKEN FROM THE LILLE GATE (_The point from where this photograph was taken is shown on the plan on p. 72_ (_at the bottom, on the right_).)

St. Nicolas Old French Barracks School Belltower St. Peters Church St.

James' Church]

[Ill.u.s.tration: RUINS OF THE HoTEL DE GAND, RUE DES CHIENS]

Rue de Lille ends at Lille Gate. Before pa.s.sing through, climb up the ramparts, from which there is a magnificent panorama.

Pa.s.s through the Gate, the towers of which date from 1395. There is an interesting view over the wide moats, and of the ancient ramparts (rebuilt by Vauban), which were ruined by sh.e.l.ls.

_Turn back and re-enter the town by the same way. Beyond the Church of St. Pierre, take the first street on the right as far as the Rue des Chiens, where, on turning to the left_, the ruins of the Church St.

Jacques, and the shattered facade of the Hotel de Gand will be seen.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HoTEL DE GAND (_Photo, Antony, Ypres._)]

The latter fine house, with double gables dated from the 16th century.

The transition from 15th to 16th century style is very marked: on the ground-floor is the irregular arch of the 15th century, while on the first floor the arches are full semi-circles, framing the rectangular bays, whose tympana are decorated with flamboyant figures. These tympana were added some years later, thus giving the wide 17th century windows, of which the (French) architect of the Hotel Merghelynck made such happy use (photo, p. 101).

[Ill.u.s.tration: BRITISH CEMETERY AT THE HOSPICE NoTRE-DAME]

_Having reached the Grande-Place, take the Rue de Menin on the right_, leaving on the left the ruins of the Hospice Notre-Dame. _Next take the Menin Road, to visit the Chateau de Hooge and_ =Zillebeke=.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MENIN GATE _On leaving Ypres in the direction of Hooge and Zillebeke._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: BRITISH CEMETERY JUST OUTSIDE YPRES, ON THE ROAD TO MENIN]

=Visit to Zillebeke and Hooge= (_See Itinerary, p. 47._)

_At the Menin Gate leave the Westroosebeke Road on the left, and take the main road to Menin on the right._

[Ill.u.s.tration: BRITISH CEMETERY AT ZILLEBEKE]