Discover Wijtschate: Crater Landscape and History

Wijtschate combines a distinctly undulating landscape with impressive traces of the First World War. The elevation ranges from 27 metres in the north to 85 metres in the village centre. Wijtschate still has 80 hectares of forest. Those planning a trip can therefore combine nature, paths and history here without having to focus on just one type of experience.

Crater Landscape and Panoramic Views

The Spanbroekmolen Crater lies at an elevation of 76 metres at the highest point of the ridge between Wijtschate and Mesen. A circular trail offers views of the surrounding area and makes the site a striking landscape feature. The crater is also known as the Pool of Peace. It is considered the largest and most impressive mine crater in the Westhoek. The pond is 12 metres deep and has a total diameter of 129 metres, including its banks.

These measurements give the landscape a tangible sense of scale. When planning your day, you can combine a visit to the crater with other historical sites or choose the circular trail as a programme item in its own right. Families with different interests can thus find points of connection for observing nature, physical activity and learning about history.

Places of Remembrance in the Forest

Bayernwald is a reconstructed section of a German trench system from the First World War in the Croonaertbos forest in Wijtschate. Two German listening shafts are located there. Bayernwald is accessible to wheelchair users and can therefore play a special role when selecting destinations for excursions. The Dietrich shaft in Kampagnebos is also one of the German listening shafts. You can reach it via the cart track to Kampagnebos; if you follow the forest path, it is approximately 100 metres ahead on the left.

The Craters and Mines Trail starts at the village information point by the Sint-Medardus Church in Wijtschate. Its route passes a brick-built German mine shaft in Kampagnebos, the craters at Petit Bois, the Peckham Crater and the Pool of Peace, the Spanbroekmolen Crater. Anyone wishing to see several historic landscape sites along one route can take this trail into account when planning their own itinerary.

History at Specific Sites

The places around Wijtschate recall the Battle of Mesen. On the first day of the battle, 7 June 1917, 57 soldiers died. Lone Tree Cemetery lies near Lone Tree Crater, which is also called Spanbroekmolen Crater. This crater is one of the 19 craters created during the infantry attacks in the Battle of Mesen. Spanbroekmolen British Cemetery commemorates the 58 dead from the United Kingdom; Lone Tree Cemetery commemorates the 88 dead from the United Kingdom.

The village centre also offers historical points of reference. The Sint-Medardus Church dates from 1927, and Wijtschate’s municipal hall from 1930. The church was built on a new church square further to the north. These buildings complement the landscape and wartime history with a view of the development of the village itself.

De Kroonaard as a Different Accent

De Kroonaard offers views of Kemmelberg and the craters at Petit Bois. The recreation area includes picnic furniture, and the land art installation la courbes des Émotions is also located there. De Kroonaard therefore creates a different emphasis from the trenches and cemeteries: landscape, art and a planned break take centre stage here. Depending on the type of day you want, you can switch between intensive historical exploration and a more tranquil appreciation of the surroundings.

The Right Accommodation Perspective

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Wijtschate, it is worth first deciding how you would like to spend your days. Those who want to focus on craters, forest paths and places of remembrance should include the aforementioned starting points and routes in their personal planning. Those who want to alternate between nature and culture can also consider De Kroonaard, the village centre and the Craters and Mines Trail.

For additional destinations, you can also include Kemmel, Westouter, Dranouter, Nieuwkerke and Loker in your planning.

For the overarching travel overview: Heuvelland.