The best running trails around Poperinge

Nice Statue of Eliane Cossey (Poperinge, 9 December 1902 – London, 1942), known by the nickname Ginger, was a striking red-haired precocious child in the Belgian town of Poperinge during the First World War. The café "A la Poupée", an unpronounceable name for English speakers, on the main square grew under the name "Ginger's" into one of the most famous taverns behind "The Ypres Salient". The appeal of the young diva can be read in various diary excerpts and in the Visitors Book with compliments and drawings. Ginger krijgt eigen standbeeld https://www.hln.be/.../ginger-krijgt-eigen-standbeeld.../

In the town hall courtyard, an execution post commemorates the atrocities that took place here during World War I. At least eight soldiers faced the firing squad here. From 1916 onwards, the adjacent police cells were converted into "death cells," where the condemned soldiers spent their last night. At dawn, these soldiers were executed here (shot at dawn). To enhance the experience even further, text panels and a soundtrack explain the "shot at dawn" phenomenon. You can also visit the site with a guide. More information via toerisme@poperinge.be.

An accessible site consisting of cells and an execution post in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall, with various memorials and information boards. The town hall is located at Grote Markt 1-4, with a side wall overlooking Guido Gezellestraat. At least eight men were executed in the courtyard of Poperinge Town Hall: Botfield, Simmonds, Poole, Fryer, Stadman, Wall, Morris, and Gore. Perhaps Crampton and Wang Jungzhi should be added. It is also possible that several others buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery, and perhaps also McFarlane, buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, appeared before the firing squad here. Several soldiers were also arrested here and held in police cells until they were returned to their units to appear before a court-martial: Byers, Eveleigh, Nelson, Roberts, J. Smith, Hyde, Welsh, and Hughes. Thousands of others of various nationalities stayed here briefly because they were on the streets without permission, drunk, or involved in fights.

At the beginning of the 14th century, Flanders as a whole enjoyed a flourishing cloth industry. The major centers of Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres wanted to protect their own markets. An initial privilege had already been granted for Ypres on October 28, 1322, but it was insufficient. Louis I, Count of Flanders, amended this privilege for Ypres on February 7, 1324. "From then on, no cloth was to be woven, sheared, or dyed within a three-hour radius of Ypres; failure to comply resulted in a fine of 50 pounds and the confiscation of the looms." This proved very unfortunate for Poperinge, which is only 12 km from Ypres. The people of Poperinge resisted this privilege by continuing to produce cloth or engage in other activities related to the cloth industry. According to several "clever" cloth weavers, it was more than a three-hour walk from Poperinge to Ypres. This led to a fierce battle between Poperinge and Ypres. The three Flemish cities launched an army to silence the people of Poperinge. This occurred in May 1341. Both sides lost their leaders in the battle: Jacob Bets at Poperinge and Jan de Houtkerke at Ypres. Poperinge was powerless against the overwhelming force. From then on, cloth would no longer be woven in Poperinge. What was forbidden, however, did happen: cloth production continued in Poperinge. A lawsuit followed, which was lost. This left the feud between Poperinge and Ypres far from over. The people of Poperinge sought a playful way to take revenge. They used the weapon of mockery. The Guild of the Stone was founded in Poperinge (1372), led by Master Ghybe. To this day, a kind of rivalry between Poperinge and Ypres still remains. Hops were grown as an alternative to the defunct cloth trade. Who? Master Ghybe is something of the Don Quixote of Poperinge. He sat backward on a donkey with an 83-pound boulder on a cushion in front of him. He carried pots and pans as armor. He was armed with a ladle and a spit. Along with his followers, dressed like him, he participated in processions and parades. Ghybe wasn't chosen at random; he was the symbol of the three major cities: Ghent, Ypres (Ieper), and Bruges. His donkey represents Flanders, which was poorly governed. The boulder he carried is the symbol of the people of Poperinge. They are also called "keikop" (stone head). Source: Wikipedia

Lucien De Gheus used bronze and bluestone for this artwork. Master Ghybe is a fictional, folkloric figure from the Belgian town of Poperinge. The figure dates back to the Middle Ages and symbolizes the competition in the cloth industry between the towns of Poperinge and Ypres. Master Ghybe mocks Ypres, Poperinge's main competitor.

St. John's Church was founded in the 13th century and is primarily known as a place of pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of St. John. In 1479, through her intercession, a miracle occurred, which led to the annual Marian Procession. The white stone Calvary is a replica of the original wooden statues, which can now be seen in the winter chapel.

From this spot you have no view of the "Swan Lake" unless you are 2 m tall. If you want to see the lake, you have to go to the parallel path, on the other bank of the Heidebeek.

Access lock for the Dode IJzerpad hiking trail, which is also a GR trail and Zwijnbeekpad.