Mesen – better known in English as Messines – is the smallest town in Belgium and stands on the language division between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. Mesen has an outstanding place in the history of the Irish people. It was here on 7 June 1917 that two Irish divisions. It fought side by side during the famous Battle of the Mines. The Peace Tower which now stands near this spot is, therefore, a symbol of reconciliation for the past, the present and the future. Mesen is also twinned with the New Zealand town of Featherstone. Troops of the New Zealand Division – men who had come from the other side of the world – also fought here in 1917. It is an amazing place showcasing the history of world war 1.
Address to reach Mesen :Armentierssteenweg, 8957 Mesen
Scroll down to the list below to make your trip to Mesen a memorable affair:
Island of Ireland Peace Park
The Island of Ireland Peace Park is a beautiful quiet place. It’s also called the Irish Peace Park or Irish Peace Tower in Messines, near Ypres in Flanders, Belgium. The memorial site is dedicated to the soldiers of Ireland, of all political and religious beliefs, who died, were wounded or missing in the Great War of 1914-1918.
The tower was built as a symbol of reconciliation by An All-Ireland Journey of Reconciliation Trust and the support of the people of Messines. The design is that of a traditional Irish round tower dating back to the 8th century. It is 33.5 metres high. As part of the design, the inside of the tower is lit up by the sun only on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This is the time at which the Armistice was declared and the guns fell silent on the Western Front after four years of fighting. The site of the memorial is not the actual location where the two Irish divisions fought next to one another in the Battle of Messines Ridge in June 1917. Nevertheless, visitors can look to the west from the memorial across to the battle area of Wijtschate where they were in action. A suitable memorial to the Irish of every shade who fought together and died together in WW1. It’s a fortunate place which reminds us that we are humans and humanity is our culture.
Mesen Ridge Memorial for the Missing New Zealanders
The Messines Ridge Memorial is an incredible place. Stop here to honour and pay respect to our Kiwi brothers in Arms.
It is situated within Messines Ridge British Cemetery. This is one of seven memorials in France and Belgium to those New Zealand soldiers who died on the Western Front and whose graves are not known. The dates of death of those buried here range from October 1914 to October 1918, but the majority died in the fighting of 1917. 954 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate several casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Wheelchair access to the cemetery is possible, but maybe by an alternative entrance. Once again, sad but beautiful place to visit. You can be here at any time and undeniable weather conditions.
New Zealand Soldier
New Zealand Soldier is the statue in the centre of town, is a memorial to all soldiers of the New Zealand Division fought in the battle of Messines Ridge. It’s a gorgeous sculpture and a very respectful tribute to the soldiers of New Zealand who bravely fought and lost their lives in the battlefields. The sculpture is of a soldier standing proudly in a uniform with a gun in his hand. Stop here to pay respect to the brave deaths by offering them flowers. A highly recommended place.
Saint Nicholas Church
The Saint Nicolas Church is incredible. The church, with its domed tower, can be seen from miles away. The building was restored to its pre-war state in 1928. This church originally served as an abbey church for the convent of Saint Benedict and was erected by countess Adela of France. The church is adorned with a magnificent chandelier in yellow copper and many wall lights, designed for and given to the church by Otto Meyer, a German veteran who survived the battle of Messines. The crypt in the church is a must-see. This 11th-century roman crypt is the only monument in Messines that is officially classified and protected. Countess Adela was buried here on 8th January 1079. She was the daughter of the French King Robert the Pious, wife of Baldwin V (Count of Flanders), mother of the English Queen Mathilda and thus “ancestress” of the British Royal Family. The crypt, where the Germans installed their headquarters, was restored in 1931 in its original state after the devastations of World War I. A magnificent place to be seen.
Memorial Christmas Truce 1914
This is on the way to Mesen and you should visit it .
Memorial Christmas Truce 1914, symbolises a memorable event from world war 1. An event that doesn’t include any of the blood shade. However, this event remarks a start-up for establishing peace between the troops. On 24 December 1914, something extraordinary happened.
German and Allied troops, mercilessly slaughtering each other just hours earlier, laid down their arms and embraced Christmas together. Sworn enemies dropped their weapons, clambered out of trenches and crossed the shell-blasted mud of no man’s land to shake hands, sing carols and exchange gifts. Then, famously, a football match was played. It’s really hard to comprehend the significance of stopping in the middle of a war to play a game of football. Plenty of space for a motorhome parking. There are 4 cemeteries in the woods walking distance away that are worth visiting. You can have an amazingly peaceful stroll in the No Man’s Land. The respectful place deserves a tribute.
images from Internet