Trench of Death. Diksmuide, Belgium

The Dodengang, internationally known as the Trench of Death, is the last preserved Belgian First World War trench system. Located near Diksmuide, directly on the banks of the Yser Canal, this poignant memorial site stands as a powerful reminder of the Great War. A visit to these preserved battle positions offers a deeply moving experience, bringing visitors face to face with the harsh reality of trench warfare.

The site occupies a unique place in the history of the Yser Front. In October 1914, the Belgian Army retreated behind the Yser Canal in an attempt to stop the German advance. Construction of the trench system began in May 1915, and the opposing forces soon became locked in a dangerous stalemate. After the deliberate flooding of the Yser plain, the two armies remained separated by the flooded battlefield, with positions sometimes only a few dozen metres apart. Soldiers on both sides endured extreme conditions here for almost three years, until the final Allied offensive in September 1918.

The extensive outdoor trail introduces visitors to the daily reality of life and death in the trenches. You can walk through the authentic spaces where history took place, exploring reinforced concrete bunkers, original trenches and preserved firing positions. A giant aerial photograph from 1916 allows you to compare the historical landscape with the view today, showing just how close the opposing positions were.

Next to the preserved fortifications, a modern visitor centre brings the personal stories of the soldiers to life. The museum displays more than one hundred original wartime objects, historical photographs, documentary film footage and interactive applications. Outside, visitors can also see the pink granite memorial stone, unveiled by King Albert I in 1922, marking the point where the German advance towards the Belgian coast was permanently halted.

Explore the history and plan your visit: dodengang.be

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