Free activities

you're always welcome

The Ypres Museum is an open house where everyone is welcome. There is even plenty to do before you enter the museum.

And the best part? It's free! Yes, you read that correctly. You can admire the items below without paying a penny.

Stunning stained glass window

The magical stained-glass window in the council chamber is the icing on the cake of the rebuilt Ypres Cloth Hall. The stained-glass scenes vividly summarise Ypres' medieval past. It looks like a comic strip and is the ideal start to a visit to the Ypres Museum. The stained-glass window is full of unique details. Feast your eyes on the cheeky Ypres cats, vain jesters and the occasional furtive glance where love is blossoming. Children will also be entertained by the “stain glass peeking” treasure hunt.

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all details of the stained glass window

peeking into the display case

Our display case stands proudly in the hallway, always featuring a themed exhibition. Just climb the stairs or take the lift and you can admire some previously unseen pieces from our collection.

Don't hesitate to walk upstairs, because you don't want to miss this free opportunity.

What is hidden behind the display case?

Stately council chamber

Around 1307, the “Schepenkamer” (Aldermen's Chamber) was built in the Cloth Hall. Before that, the aldermen used to meet in the Belfort. Was the new chamber built because nine Ypres aldermen were thrown out of the tower in 1303? An interesting assumption, but one that remains uncertain to this day.

Use

The Schepenkamer has a turbulent history. Initially, it was used as a courtroom, reception room and seat for the municipal council of the time: the “grooten raedt”. From the French occupation (1794) onwards, military conscription was organised there and during the annual fair, market traders were allowed to display their wares. Under Dutch rule, the room became a military warehouse. After that, things went from bad to worse. It became a dumping ground for scrap metal and broken furniture and occasionally served as a polling station.

It was not until 1842 that improvements were made: the Société des Beaux-Arts temporarily housed the Stedelijk Museum (previously a cabinet of curiosities) there. From 1869 onwards, the room was upgraded to a reception and wedding hall.

Decoration

The room was lavishly decorated on several occasions. After the fire that destroyed the ‘Stedehuus’ in 1498, the room was given a pointed arch window. You can still clearly see this shape in the current window! The room was given the necessary splendour: stained glass, tapestries, a fireplace, statues and beautiful murals.

In 1611, the city purchased 26 so-called Spanish chairs. The leather upholstery of these chairs bore the city coat of arms. The backs of the current chairs are adorned with an elegant Y. In 1794, the French army wreaked havoc. Stained glass windows and statues were destroyed, and the beautiful murals disappeared behind a layer of lime. The French republicans had no time for images of the nobility!

It was not until the 19th century that the building was restored to its former glory. The large window on the west side was boarded up to make way for a glass dome. During this work, the murals were rediscovered by chance. François Böhm restored them for the first time. Thanks to Mayor Vandenpeereboom, who was Minister of the Interior in 1861, a restoration took place. He spared no expense, thanks to generous subsidies from the government.

The roof, panelling and old murals are being carefully restored. An impressive mantelpiece decorated with wooden sculptures will be installed. Our Lady of Tuine will take pride of place in the centre. New murals by Godfried Guffens and Jan Swerts will adorn the long walls. Everything is very colourful! The coats of arms of the Ypres guilds will be depicted on the new stained-glass window.

The First World War and the interwar period

In 1914-1918, the hall was completely destroyed. However, a few statues and a piece of the panelling were saved. Reconstruction did not begin until the 1960s. Since then, the hall has welcomed prominent figures such as Queen Elizabeth.

Nowadays

The structure of the room is very similar to its pre-war state. However, the mantelpiece and wall paintings are no longer present. The current late Gothic statues are on permanent loan from the Brussels Museums of Art and History.

The designs for the murals in the Cloth Hall by Charles Degroux hang on the walls. He was the first artist to be commissioned for this task, but he died before he could start painting. Ferdinand Pauwels replaced him. Fortunately, we can still admire Degroux's beautiful designs here. They depict the most important historical events in the history of Ypres.

Today, the residents of Ypres are officially tying the knot here.