Dodengang (the Trench of Death) — Attraction in Diksmuide

A visit to the Trench of Death at the Iser Canal is a deeply moving experience and a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war. This historic site is not just a memorial; it is the actual location where Belgian and Allied troops bravely held the line against German forces during the First World War. The significance of these trenches cannot be overstated — they played a crucial role in stopping further German incursions into Belgium, holding the front line in this region for almost 4 years. Walking through the well-preserved trenches, you can almost feel the weight of history around you. The experience is immersive, with informative displays and photographs that help you understand the harsh reality that soldiers faced during the war. The proximity of the Iser Canal, where the German advance was effectively halted, adds to the reality of the site. Maintaining sites like the Trench of Death is vital for future generations. In a world where memories of past wars can quickly fade, it is places like these that serve as powerful reminders of the horrors of conflict. They teach us about the sacrifices made and the importance of peace. The Trench of Death is not just a historical site; it is a reminder of resilience, courage and the high cost of war. I recommend a visit to this site for anyone interested in the history of the First World War, but even more so for those who may have forgotten how catastrophic wars can be. The Trench of Death is a grey but necessary pilgrimage for anyone who wants to understand the past and its impact on the present and future.

Date of...

Visited late in the afternoon, there were very few people there which made looking around quiet - ideal. The person at the reception spoke very good English, and the cost of tickets was reasonable for the visit. She offered a family ticket as the best value for us. We spent about an hour on our visit. There is plenty of free parking right outside the visitors centre, and toilets in the reception area.

Spending time in the trenches was eye-opening, and seeing just how close the German trenches were was astounding. There were many photos and examples of uniforms and weaponry in the visitor centre. All information boards were available in English, which allowed us to enjoy the...

This is similar to a visitor centre there are lots of photos from the war and tons of information written in several languages. It is a lot of reading so probably not suited to children under 12 ish. There are a few artifacts to look at as well but the most poignant part for us were the trenches. These are original from WWI and cover some distance and from what we learnt in the centre was that the German trenches were directly across the river and it was a really powerful reminder of how it would of been for the men who spent four years living in these trenches in a stalemate with the Germans who were just...