Church of Saint Nicholas, Diksmuide: Interior detail, Gothic rood screen

The town is on the banks of the Ijzer River in West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, noted as the site of a major battle in World War I. The town was destroyed in heavy fighting and artillery when the Allies flooded the region to prevent the Germans from reaching the sea. The town was rebuilt from the rubble after the end of the war, including the St. Niklaaskerk, a church reconstructed faithfully in its original Gothic style (early 14th century Gothic with an 18th century spire). It was rebuilt again after the fire due to the bombardment of 1940 and restored until early 1950.