YPRES (Flemish Yperen)  , a town of Belgium, in the province of West Flanders, of which it was formerly considered the capital . Pop . (1904) 17,073 . It is situated 35 M . S. of Ostend and 12 m . W. of Courtrai, on the Yperlee, a small river flowing into the Yser, both of which have been canalized . In the 14th century it ranked with Bruges and Ghent, and its population in its prime reached 200,000 . It is remarkable chiefly for its fine Halles or cloth market, with a facade of over 150 yds. in length . The main building was begun in 1201 and completed in 1304 . The cathedral of St Martin dates from the 13th century, with a tower of the 15th century . Jansen, bishop of Ypres and the founder of the Jansenist school, is buried in the cathedral . The Butchers' Hall is also of interest and dates from the 15th century .

Although Ypres is unlikely to regain the importance it possessed when its " red-coated " contingent turned the

day in the great battle of Courtrai (1302), it has an important linen and lace trade and a great butter market . The Belgian cavalry training-school is established at Ypres .