Ypres and the Battles of Ypres

by Unknown

The Nieuwerk was restored about 1862. In the Chapelle Echevinale, frescoes by Guffens and J. Swerts, and stained-glass was renovated, and at the same time a fine fireplace was built by Malfait of Brussels. Old mural paintings, representing St. Mark and St. John, and a frieze, depicting the Counts of Flanders from 1322 to 1476, were discovered and restored. In the middle of the hall stood a small equestrian statue of John of Brabant (1252—1294) by A. Fiers.

This slightly-built Nieuwerk could not long withstand the bombardment. The south gable, struck on November 21, 1914, collapsed, while on the following day the Cloth Hall burst into flames. A few weeks' later the Nieuwerk was completely destroyed.

THE SHERIFF'S ROOM IN THE NIEUWERK, DECEMBER, 1914
The collapse of the first floor left visible the remains of the decoration seen in the photo below
(photo, Antony, Ypres).

THE SHERIFF'S ROOM IN THE NIEUWERK, BEFORE THE WAR (photo, Antony, Ypres)

OLD HOUSES WHICH, BEFORE THE WAR, WERE THE PRIDE OF THE VANDENPEEREBOOM SQUARE (photo, Antony, Ypres)