Poperinge was an important centre with a thriving cloth industry in the Middle Ages. Well-earning merchants brought in enough money to immediately build three imposing Gothic churches, which still dominate the skyline.
Later, hops became the export product. Poperinge was one of the most important centres of hop-growing, several mansions and former hop warehouses remind us of this heyday. To this day, Poperinge remains the Belgian hop town. Hops and beer - a golden combination that is explained at the Hop Museum, including the largest Belgian beer collection.
During WWI, POP, the name given to Poperinge by British soldiers, was a safe distance from the front. The soldiers came there to catch their breath during their leave. Many traces still testify to life behind the front.