Ypres is a small Flemish town situated at the heart of the wider Ypres Salient region in West Flanders, where the Allied Forces confronted the German army in a series of horrific battles during World War I. In 1914, Ypres found itself near the frontline of the war, and some four years of persistent shelling led to its near total destruction. The town had to be reconstructed entirely following the war. The pronunciation of “Ypres” has always been a bit of a problem. In Flemish, it is pronounced “Ieper”. However, British soldiers during the war pronounced it “Wipers”. Both are seen as acceptable. Today, the town of Ypres is used by tourists as a base point for exploring the Ypres Salient region, where a host of historic battlefields, museums, monuments, cemeteries and preserved trenches are located. These include the Dodengang trenches, were the infamous Trench of Death is located. The adjoining interpretation center tells the story of the claustrophobic living conditions in the trenches during the war. Some popular local attractions in Ypres include the magnificent In Flanders Field WWI museum, which takes its name from the famous poem written by John McCrae. Here you will find a range of interactive displays and exhibits, historic artifacts and audiovisual presentations on the war. There is also the iconic Menin Gate, where the bugle call “The Last Post” is played every evening. The sweeping arch of the gate is inscribed with the names of some 55 000 soldiers who lost their lives in the war.