Ieper Lakenhalle en Menenpoort

Two monuments, one story

Ieper is a city you do not forget easily. The Grote Markt is dominated by the Lakenhalle, one of the largest Gothic buildings in the Low Countries. What most visitors do not immediately realise is that the entire building is a reconstruction. The original was completely destroyed during the First World War. What you see is a meticulous rebuild that was completed in 1967. That fact gives the place something special. It is architecture and remembrance at the same time.

A few hundred metres away, the Menenpoort spans the road towards Menen. Every evening at 20:00, traffic is stopped and the Last Post is sounded. The tradition has continued for decades. There was a brief interruption during the occupation of the city in the Second World War, but it was resumed immediately afterwards. That evening ceremony is photographically strong. Not spectacular in terms of light, but intimate and charged.

Light and timing

The Lakenhalle faces west. Early in the morning the light falls from behind onto the facade, which shows the texture of the stonework nicely without harsh shadows. Later in the day, towards golden hour, the warm light hits the front directly. That is when the details of the stepped gables and arched windows really come to life. In winter the sun is low enough to give interesting angles even in the early afternoon.

For the Menenpoort, evening light works best. Arrive early before the ceremony so you can capture the build-up. The gate itself is lit at night and offers good opportunities for a longer shutter speed. A tripod is not a luxury then, but a necessity.

Compositions and focal lengths

The Lakenhalle calls for a wide focal length if you want to capture it in full. With a 16 to 24mm you have enough room on the Grote Markt. Pay attention to the cobblestones in the foreground as they add depth. If you want details, an 85mm or longer is interesting for the arched windows and the tower spire. The Menenpoort is large enough to photograph from inside the archway as well. Look up. The list of names on the inner wall combined with the upward perspective is a composition that works time and again.

Practical

The Grote Markt is freely accessible. You can park in the surrounding streets or in one of the car parks near the centre. On market days and in summer it gets busy, but early in the morning you have the place almost to yourself. The Last Post ceremony is brief and free to attend. No permits are needed for the ceremony, but be respectful and keep your distance while the buglers are playing.

Sources and further reading

• In Flanders Fields Museum, Ieper
• Last Post Association
• Stad Ieper