Diksmuide

Lore & Background

The 9th-century Frankish settlement of Dicasmutha was situated at the mouth of a stream near the River Yser. By the 10th century, a chapel and marketplace were established, and the city's charter was granted two centuries later, with defensive walls built in 1270. The economy was based on agriculture, dairy products, and linen. From the 15th century to the French Revolution, Diksmuide was affected by wars between the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Austria, and was captured by French forces in the Capitulation of Diksmuide in 1695. The 19th century was more peaceful and prosperous.

Reader's Guide

Diksmuide's significance stems from its role in World War I, where the Battle of the Yser in October 1914 saw Belgian and French troops defend the city. The Belgians opened floodgates of the River Yser, flooding the area and creating a front line that held throughout the war. The city was reduced to rubble but rebuilt in the 1920s. Today, the 'Trench of Death' preserves the trench setting, and the Yser Tower houses a World War I museum. The belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region's dairy farming produces the famous butter of Diksmuide. The city also hosts the yearly IJzerbedevaart, a celebration of peace and Flemish political autonomy.

Did You Know?

• The name Diksmuide is a compound of the Dutch words 'dijk' (dike) and 'muide' (river mouth).
• The city was first attacked on 16 October 1914, marking the beginning of the Battle of the Yser.
• The Yser Tower was demolished in 1946 after being used for Nazi ceremonies during World War II.
• The Vladslo German war cemetery contains the sculpture 'Mourning parents' by Käthe Kollwitz.