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Passendale
—  Deelgemeente  —
Passchendaele (Dutch)
Coordinates: 50°54′3″N 3°1′21″E / 50.90083°N 3.0225°E / 50.90083; 3.0225
Country	Belgium
Province	West Flanders
Municipality	Zonnebeke
Area
- Total	22.22 km2 (8.6 sq mi)
Population (1999)
- Total	2,928
- Density	131.77/km2 (341.3/sq mi)
	Source: NIS
Postal code	8980

Passendale (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɑsəndaˑlə]) (French and English: Passchendaele) is a rural Belgian village in the Zonnebeke municipality of West Flanders province. The town is in close proximity to the town of Ypres and is commonly known as a World War I battlefield.

History

Early History

In the pre-Roman and Roman times the area of the town was located along the border between the Menapii and Morini Belgic tribes of northern Gaul and later the border between the bishoprics of Tournai and Thérouanne. The town is first recorded in 844 as Pascandale, likely named after an individual by the name of Paulus, Pascan or Pasko. In the Middle Ages, most of the region was ruled by the Augustine abbey of Zonnebeke and the Benedictine convent of Nonnebossen. Both the abbey and the convent were destroyed during an iconoclasm in 1580.

World War I

Passendale is especially known since World War I. The old spelling of the Dutch name - Passchendaele - is used in the British war history to indicate the historic battle fought in Passendale (which turned out to be possibly one of the bloodiest campaigns of the entire war). The town was completely levelled during this conflict.

Sights

Different nations' war cemeteries are found in Passendale: Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world), the New British Cemetery, the Canadian Memorial and the New Zealand Forces Memorial. The town also hosts a war museum as well as numerous memorials dedicated to the different nationalities that participated in the epic battle.

Every year, Passendale hosts a number of commemorative events and exhibitions, with 2008 being the 90th memorial commemorations of the end of the World War I.

Local produce

Passendale is internationally famous for its pale, ale-style beer, which is served in a distinctive glass of the same name. The town is also known for Passendale cheese, and hosts an annual cheese festival every August.

References

External links

• Memorial Museum Passchendaele
• 2007 Remembrance Program
• The Old Cheese Factory
• Passendale Cheese (French/Dutch)

Coordinates: 50°54′1″N 3°1′17″E / 50.90028°N 3.02139°E / 50.90028; 3.02139