Stories for the road
Before WWI, Zonnebeke is a typical agricultural community with little industry. The village has about 4,000 inhabitants. Life there was characterised by diligent labour, Sunday high mass and the fair as one of the annual highlights. However, the First World War thoroughly shakes up daily life.
When the first inhabitants return in 1919, they really find nothing. The area looks like a gigantic savannah. Weeds are rampant among the tree trunks and there are flooded bomb craters and piles of rubble everywhere. The first pioneers make do with what is available. Bunkers, shelters and huts provide initial shelter. For some, rebuilding seems impossible; they leave for good. Others, like lord Emmanuel Iweins and parish priest Lammens, were the driving force behind reconstruction. Discover how Zonnebeke, with some architectural gems, rose from the rubble and how the residents made their houses a home again.
The route is not signposted.
Practical info
- Pick-up: The map of the route can be bought in the physical shop of the Passchendaele Museum or online via the webshop.
- Can be guided
- Start: Passchendaele Museum
- Distance: 5 km
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Price: € 4.00/walk guide with map
- Parking: Berten Pilstraat 5c, 8980 Zonnebeke
