Top 15 Lakes around Lo-Reninge

Experience the Viconia Clay Pits. A walking loop introduces you to the ponds and the observation tower.

An interesting anecdote concerns the battles around the pond during the war. Soldiers used the pond as a natural barrier and shelter. There are stories of soldiers wading through the water at night to reach enemy lines, which gave the pond strategic significance.

The nature reserve is just over 40 hectares and is home to many birds, which can be viewed from the bird hide. The area is managed by nature and forest. In the 13th and 14th centuries, St. Michael's parish was located here. It was designed in the early 1990s as a reservoir for drinking water and as a holding basin against flooding. The finds from the excavations of St. Michael's parish used to be on display in glass cabinets in the Mergelynck Museum, but are now also in the Yper Museum.

At the beginning of the 14th century, Ypres was a very prosperous and densely populated city. Two ponds were constructed for water supply: one in Dikkebus and one in Zillebeke, and these ponds still provide Ypres with drinking water today. The 28-hectare Zillebeke Pond is fed by the Zillebeek stream. On the western bank lies the pumping and treatment plant, which produces approximately four to five thousand cubic meters of drinking water daily. The pond is surrounded by a beautiful double row of trees. Fishing is permitted with a special permit. The pond is a valuable natural feature. The large fields of water lilies are particularly picturesque. A colony of grebes breeds there, but grey herons, coots, moorhens, mallards, and sandpipers also call the pond home. During the migration season, the pond is frequently visited by numerous bird species. You can cycle and walk around the pond. Source: knooppunter.com/zillebekevijver

Old pond that supplies fresh water to the city of Ypres. Some explanation: The Dikkebus Pond is a pond near the village of Dikkebus, south of Ypres. On July 23, 1310, the City of Ypres received permission from the Count of Flanders to dig the pond, which, next to the Zillebeke Pond, was intended to ensure sufficient water in the city for fulling and dyeing cloth. The pond was created by damming the Kemmelbeek stream and was excavated on land belonging to the parishes of Vlamertinge, Dikkebus, and Voormezele. The expropriation of the necessary land was arranged by the city of Ypres and took about ten years. The thirty-six-hectare pond was not completed until around 1323. The pond supplied and still supplies Ypres with drinking water, initially via the Ypres canals and later via a system of oak pipes. Since 1926, this has been done via a modern pumping station. The Zillebeke Pond and Bellewaarde Pond were also created this way. Besides providing drinking water, the pond also serves a recreational purpose. Enjoy the shady banks at a moderate pace.

Old pond that supplies fresh water to the city of Ypres. Some explanation: The Dikkebusvijver is a pond near the village of Dikkebus, south of the city of Ypres. On July 23, 1310, the City of Ypres received permission from the Count of Flanders to dig the pond next to the Zillebeke pond to ensure that sufficient water was available in the city for fulling and dyeing sheets. The pond was created by damming the Kemmelbeek and was excavated on the grounds of the parishes of Vlamertinge, Dikkebus and Voormezele. The expropriation of the necessary land was arranged by the city of Ypres and took about ten years to complete. The pond of thirty-six hectares was not realized until around 1323. The pond provided and supplies Ypres with drinking water, formerly via the Ypres canals and then via a system of oak pipes. Since 1926 this has been done via a modern pumping station. The Zillebeke pond and Bellewaarde pond were also created in this way. In addition to the drinking water supply, the pond also has a recreational function. Enjoy the shaded banks at moderate speed.

The Westhoek Vredeshoek platform has been proposed in the Peace Forest in Ypres. It is a platform in which the 17 Westhoek municipalities will collaborate with organizations such as Wakker voor Vrede, Moeders voor Vrede and Peace Village. They also want to further promote the idea of peace after the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Source: https://radio2.be/lees/westhoek-vredeshoek-voorstellen-in-vredesbos-ieper

The photo of the water was taken on the Ypres fortresses, near the Eilandje. (At entrance to Restaurant). You can recognize Zillebeke pond by the white Vijverhuis, former cafeteria. The 2 last pictures are indeed Zillebeke pond.