In the shadow of the Yser Tower

Appointment in Diksmuide at the Paxpoort (V). Together with the Yser Crypt and the Yser Tower, it forms a European Peace Domain. The tower houses a 22-storey museum about war, peace and Flemish emancipation. A visit is highly recommended! You are confronted with the horror of 'the Great War'. With its height of 84 m, the Yser Tower also offers a unique view over Diksmuide and the Westhoek. With your back to the Paxpoort, turn right along the road and the IJzer and walk under the railway bridge and 150 m further right into the Kapellestraat. On the left are blackthorn bushes and a little further a beautifully maintained chapel. A little further and a hundred meters from the road is an impressive chapel, very neglected. Ignore all side roads and walk further, along alternating asphalt and concrete roads to St.-Jacobs-Kapelle. A few hundred meters before the village there are reed beds on the left for purifying waste water. The name Sint-Jacobskapelle refers to a chapel that is said to have been erected here in 1420. The current St. James' Church among the chestnut trees dates from 1925 and replaces the chapel that stood there before the First World War. The village was completely destroyed in 14-18, as was a large part of the region. The church and its immediate surroundings are protected as a landscape. On the footpath in front of the chapel is the Pilgrim 1, a statue by artist Eddy Malfait. Walk straight ahead in the direction of Oudekapelle and at the fork 200 m further you turn right into the Rellemstraat. The views remain miles wide with large farmyards and alternating fields and meadows. At the next fork turn right again, still in the Rellemstraat. The church on the right in front of you is the Sint-Jan-de-Doperkerk of Oudekapelle. It replaces the Gothic church that was also destroyed here in the First World War together with the entire village. At the end of the Rellemstraat, walk to the right on the Oude Zeedijk. Oudekapelle offers a beautiful village view from here. Cross the Oudekapellestraat and walk straight along the Duikervaart towards Lampernisse. After 800 m, turn right along Grote Beverdijkstraat towards Kaaskerke. From here you can always see the Yser Tower as a beacon for you. Almost a kilometer further, the Vlavaart connects to the Grote Beverdijkvaart. The large number of watercourses and ditches ensures the drainage of the polder area. Duikervaart, Grote Beverdijkvaart and Vlavaart were already mentioned in the 17th century. The polders themselves originated around the 11th century, after the area was already used as a salt marsh area for sheep farming. Leave the Bien Acquisstraat and continue along the Grote Beverdijkstraat. This will soon cross the canal, turn to the right away from the water and is now called Vlastraat. At the T-junction, walk to the right and under the viaduct and then straight along the railway. After 750 m, turn left through a narrow passage under the railway and continue on the asphalt road. This road will soon run along the Vlavaart. After 150 m, cross the road and continue walking along the Vlavaart. At the T-junction turn right over the water. The Yser Tower now towers high above you. Just over 700 m to the IJzer and the IJzerdijk and then a little left back to the Paxpoort. Within walking distance is also the Grote Markt 2 of Diksmuide, with the ornate town hall with belfry and the Sint-Nicolaaskerk and numerous opportunities for a drink and a snack. If you want even more atmosphere of the Great War, there is also 2 km downstream along the Yser the Death Corridor, the reconstruction of a network of Belgian trenches and bunkers and one of the most dangerous positions of the Belgian army.