Yser Towers

The idea for a distinct monument in Flanders to commemorate the Flemish soldiers killed in the Belgian Army in World War I had been discussed since at least 1916 under the patronage of the priest Cyriel Verschaeve.

In following years, the human remains of a number of "Yser Symbols" (IJzersymbolen) were reburied in the crypt of the tower, including the Van Raemdonck brothers and Joe English.

Initially associated with Christian pacifism, the site soon became one of the most important symbolic political locations for the Flemish Movement and became associated with its largest contemporary political movements, notably the authoritarian Flemish National League (Vlaamsch Nationaal Verbond, VNV) and Union of Dutch National Solidarists (Verbond van Dietsche Nationaal-Solidaristen, Verdinaso).

The association of the Flemish Movement, especially the VNV, with collaborationism during German occupation of Belgium during World War II led two former members of the Belgian Resistance to illegally destroy the tower with dynamite on the night of 15–16 March 1946 as a reprisal.

The museum houses the large painting, The Golden Canvass of Flanders (Het Gulden Doek van Vlaanderen) by Dutch-born Belgian painter Henry Luyten.