Lijssenthoek Project
A major project was started in June 2009 to establish a new Visitor Centre at the site of the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. The centre is located at the north-eastern side of the cemetery and was opened in September 2012.
The project has been funded by grants from the Flemish Government and the town of Poperinge. Other partners participating in the scheme include:
- Talbot House (Toc H), Poperinge
- In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres - Ieper
- Passchendaele Memorial Museum, Zonnebeke
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The focus of the Visitors' Centre is research into the medical services and the story of how the wounded were treated following their injuries in the battle area and brought to a safe haven behind the lines. Many thousands did not survive their wounds and they were buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. These casualties did not make it to the Base Hospitals or to their homes.
The Search for Personal Stories
As part of the project the search is on for personal stories of those who are buried in the cemetery. If you have a relative or anyone known to you who is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and you have any documents, letters, photographs, diaries and stories you are warmly invited to get in touch!
Website: www.lijssenthoek.be Contact
Lijssenthoek Project Archives: Visitor Information
The archives, stories and donations of photographs, letters, books and documents are held at the Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre. Admission is free.
Opening Hours
Open daily from 09.00 to 18.00 hours.
Contact Details
Visitor Centre, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Boescheepseweg 35A, 8970 Poperinge, Belgium
Website: www.lijssenthoek.be
Location of Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre
Latitude N 50° 83' 00.48" ; Longitude E 2° 70' 20.14"
The Lijssenthoek Project Archive is situated in the Visitor Centre. It is located next to the Lijsssenthoek Military Cemetery and signposted from the N38 (Frans-Vlaanderenweg) road. This road runs between the French-numbered D948 road from Callicannes on the French-Belgian border, where it becomes the Belgian-numbered road N38 to Poperinge. The Visitor Centre and cemetery lie on the east side of the N38.
Following directions at the green Commonwealth War Graves Commission signpost, turn off the N38 take the side road for about 200 metres. Turn right into Boescheepseweg and continue for approximately 1.5 kilometres. This is a narrow road and care should be taken when getting in and out of vehicles as passing traffic is infrequent but may be fast.
There is parking for cars, coaches and minibuses at the Visitor Centre.
The N38 can be rejoined again by continuing southwards along the Boescheepseweg for approximately 1.5 kilometres. Take the first right turn into the lane called Lyssenthoek and the N38 will be reached within 1 kilometre.
Related Topics
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre
Lijssenthoek Project Partners
For information about the organizations working in partnership with the Lijssenthoek Project:
Talbot House (Toc H), Poperinge
In Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres - Ieper
Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Zonnebeke
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Acknowledgements
Photographs of the Visitor Centre courtesy of Lijssenthoek Project & Visitor Centre.