The comprehensive two-year restoration of the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium, has been completed. The hallowed First World War monument, bearing the names of more than 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave, underwent significant work to ensure its preservation ahead of its centenary in 2027.
Ypres was at the centre of some of the most ferocious fighting of the First World War. In a series of battles in the Ypres Salient, casualties on all sides may have surpassed one million. The memorial was given its name because hundreds of thousands of troops passed through the old city gate on the road out of Ypres towards the town of Menin and the front lines.
Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, the Menin Gate was built in 1927. It was unveiled by Field Marshal Lord Herbert Plumer with the poignant words, “He is not missing. He is here.”
Managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the €6 million project began in April 2023. The restoration addressed crucial structural and conservation requirements. A key focus was the meticulous conservation of the names of the missing, with only two of the 1,210 name panels needing replacement.
Substantial repairs were carried out on the stonework, including the prominent lion sculpture that sits atop the memorial, and the brickwork was repointed using traditional methods. All bronze elements, such as balustrades, have been expertly restored. A significant part of the project was the restoration of the vaulted ceiling in the main hall, which involved the safe removal of an asbestos layer and a complete repainting of its detailed surface.
A notable innovation is the installation of a new, sustainable ‘living roof’. This green roof, covered in vegetation, is designed to resolve previous water ingress issues, enhance biodiversity, and improve rainwater drainage. The memorialʼs lighting and sound systems have also been modernised, with new energy-efficient lighting installed to accentuate the architectural features.
The project was funded by the CWGC with significant contributions from the Flemish government and the City of Ypres. A formal reopening ceremony took place in July 2025, attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of the CWGC, and Her Royal Highness Princess Claire of Belgium. The ceremony also marked the memorialʼs inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The adjacent CWGC Visitor Centre has also been refurbished and reopened.
