Pool of Peace
Pool of Peace
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
14 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
3
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Stewart
Maidstone, UK11 contributions
Jul 2019 • Family
One of the few craters in Belgium which has been left untouched, now filled water it is a place of tranquility which is strange considering the horror that occurred there.In the same area are a number of other craters near the road
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irlampete
Wigan, UK11 contributions
Mar 2019
spend just 30 mins out of your day here to reflect, there's plenty of bomb craters you just need to look in any farmers field but this is special and worth a moment to take in the beauty
Written 10 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris C
Faversham, UK168 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Blown up as part of the Messines Ridge mines. The impact was felt as far away as London. Months of tunnelling and undermining (yes this is where the expression comes from) culminating in the systematic explosion of the mines, caused the landscape to visible shudder and change shape as tons of earth was rent from its home and lifted into the air to fall on those close by. Those at the centre killed straight away, those nearby in some cases sent mad by the shock, horror and destruction of that moment. The sound and pressure waves causing further damage.
Today the tranquil pool now owned by Toc H, remains as a quiet reminder of that night of that war and of its horrors and it’s futility. The advantage it gave was not fully capitalised on and counter attacks resulted in much of the land being regained - it did not result in a breakthrough of significance or shorten the war.
So visit it, sit and contemplate its current peace and beauty - even meditate but always remember the futility and horror surrounding its creation but above all the healing of both the land and the nations that that fought there for ultimately this is a place of hope and a testament to the power of peace
Today the tranquil pool now owned by Toc H, remains as a quiet reminder of that night of that war and of its horrors and it’s futility. The advantage it gave was not fully capitalised on and counter attacks resulted in much of the land being regained - it did not result in a breakthrough of significance or shorten the war.
So visit it, sit and contemplate its current peace and beauty - even meditate but always remember the futility and horror surrounding its creation but above all the healing of both the land and the nations that that fought there for ultimately this is a place of hope and a testament to the power of peace
Written 16 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SarahJade90
Sheffield, UK33 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
A different type of memorial to the fallen and one that never ceases to amaze students. Helps to visualise the phyical impact of mines on the landscape and the lasting consequences in terms of memorialisation. Pair with a visit to Lone Tree Cemetery across the road to tell the tragic story of friendly fire for the Irish Riflemen and Cheshire Regiment on 7th June 1917.
Written 28 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mof1
Scarsdale, NY294 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Another one of the mine craters that still stand to remind one of the horrors of the Great War. Worth a stop while visiting Messines ridge
Written 18 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobertB
Kent, UK40 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The pool of peace or Lone Tree Crater is a reminder of the mine battles of 1917. This is the largest crater as a result of that and is 12 metres deep and 129 metres diameter. As the name suggest it is now full of water and is covered with water lillies and is a peaceful reminder of its past.
Written 1 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken S
Rugby, UK876 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The Spanbroekmolen Mine Crater is also known as the ‘Pool of Peace’. It is a large crater caused by an underground explosion during WW1 which is now a beautiful lake and (usually) a tranquil spot at which to sit and reflect upon the horrors of the war.
We first visited the pool in 2013 and it was very peaceful, so we thought we would return. Our second visit was far less tranquil – there was a ‘Peace Walk’ in progress, which was something of a misnomer as the walkers were exceedingly noisy and completely disrespectful of their surroundings!
We first visited the pool in 2013 and it was very peaceful, so we thought we would return. Our second visit was far less tranquil – there was a ‘Peace Walk’ in progress, which was something of a misnomer as the walkers were exceedingly noisy and completely disrespectful of their surroundings!
Written 3 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snailkite
Northern Virginia, VA691 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
Also known as the Lone Tree Crater, the crater was created when the British detonated their largest mine (one of many) in June 1917, launching the Battle of Messines. Over the many years the crater has filled and is now a pond.
The peaceful pond and surrounding trees are in stark contrast to what would have been the horror of the battle. If one did not know the history of the site it appears the same as any wetland sanctuary. There are signs explaining the history of the location, and one can walk the perimeter of the pond outside of the trees. If journeying to or away from Ypres it is an easy stop on your way.
The peaceful pond and surrounding trees are in stark contrast to what would have been the horror of the battle. If one did not know the history of the site it appears the same as any wetland sanctuary. There are signs explaining the history of the location, and one can walk the perimeter of the pond outside of the trees. If journeying to or away from Ypres it is an easy stop on your way.
Written 24 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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