On Sunday afternoon hundreds of local people from Ieper (West Flanders) visited a site where archaeologists carried out important excavations. The archaeologists discovered the remains of a medieval estate that served as one of the residences of the counts of Flanders until the 12th century.
The excavations confirm that in the Middle Ages Ieper was the most important city in Flanders after Bruges and Ghent and one of the largest economic centres in Europe.
The excavations uncovered part of the moat and the motte, the mound of which the castle was built. The moat was about 15 metres wide.
Archaeologists opened up the site to the public, attracting hundreds of local visitors.
‘I love it,’ says Gilbert, a guy born and bred in Ieper. ‘When I heard that the site would be open to the public, I immediately dropped everything and came here. I grew up in the area and knew there were archaeological finds, but this is unique.’
‘It is well organised,’ says Sara. ‘There are people to explain what you see. I knew that Ieper was very important in the Middle Ages, but that it also boasted a castle of the counts, I didn't know that.’
‘I think it's brilliant that what’s been excavated is not just for archaeologists but that the general public can see too. You see that many people are interested. It’s brilliant,’ says Lieven, who hails from Zonnebeke.
‘Every time there are excavations in Ieper, we always go and have a look,’ explains Koen. ‘It's interesting to learn more about the city's history.