Historical buildings
Damme, that's Flanders in a nutshell where every stone tells its medieval story and reflects the Burgundian glory of long ago.
Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, realized the maritime advantages of this little port and in 1180 granted city rights to Damme. Meanwhile Bruges had dug a canal to Damme, and the town quickly turned into a dynamic transhipment port.
House "De Grote Sterre", Damme
Casemate(s), Herring Market, Damme
Casemate(s), Kerkstraat, Damme
Entrance-gate of Our Lady, Damme
Nature Reserve 'Damse Stadswallen', Damme
Lock-chamber of the Lieve, Damme
Castle of Moerkerke, Moerkerke
Castle of Oostkerke, Oostkerke
Neo-gothic complex, Vivenkapelle
Statues
Statue of Jacob van Maerlant, Damme
Memorial of Tijl Uilenspiegel (Tyll Owlglass), Damme
Monument of Tijl Uilenspiegel, Damme
Historical buildings
Town hall (1464)
Built on the site of the old market halls, in gothic style. The stone figures on the façade represent Philip of Alsace, Johanna and Margaret of Constantinople, Philip of Thiette, Charles the Bold and Margaret of York. On the corner you can see two punishment stones. The tower-clock is from 1459. There are some remarkable mouldings in the "Vierschaere" and the Council Hall. Carillon with 39 bells.
House "De Grote Sterre"
Patrician house (originally 2) dating back to the 15th century. Residence of the Spanish military governor in the 17th century and of Canon van der Stricht in the 18th century. After the restoration of the complex, the Tourist Office of Damme was installed here, the Literary Museum of Uilenspiegel and a visitors centre.
House St-John (private)
Patrician House, dating back to the 15th century, belonging to the Bailiff Eustace Wyts. On July 3rd 1468 the wedding of Charles the Bold and Margaret of York took place in this house.
St-John's hospital
According to tradition the hospital is supposed to have been built in 1249 by Margaret of Constantinople. It received an income from certain rights to measure wine. It has an interesting museum with a valuable collection of liturgical objects, furniture, paintings, pottery and tombstones. The Chapel of the Hospital is baroque.
St-Christopher's farm
The 18th century gate is the entrace to "Casteelgoet de Proosdye" which was the countryseat of the Canon van der Stricht, who owned the house "De Grote Sterr" too. In 1760 rebuilt in the style of Louis XV. Monumental barn with mansardroof.
Casemate(s), Herring Market, Damme
Up to 1660 the Lieve was channelled through the ramparts of tthe town by means of two walls. Afterwards the course of the river was led outside the town. A munition depot was built using the old walls. Other munition-depots were on both sides of the now-demolished entrance-gate of Our Lady. Bats have made their home in one of them.
Casemate(s), Kerkstraat, Damme
Next to the gate of Our Lady (disappeared), you'll find some remnants of the casemates. Within the casemates, a hiding-place for bats is arranged.
Entrance-gate of Our Lady
Archaeological remains of this 17th century construction - part of the seven-star fortications around Damme - can be seen in the road surface.
Nature reserve 'Oude Stadswallen van Damme', Damme
The major part of this nature reserve, measuring 44 hectares, is situated on the old ramparts of Damme. The canals of this system for the town's defence have developed into reedland, boggy wood and meadow land. Their botanical value is unique with species such as the buckler fern and the gray-crested shield fern. In the pond behind the Schellemolen little grebes and coots brood. The adjacent vast pastures are an important stop for the migrant geese during the winter half-year. In spring the black-tailed godwit and the lapwing search for a brooding place.
Lock-chamber of the Lieve
The locks and a part of the quay-wall came to light during the excavations in 1969. The Lieve connected Ghent with Damme. Boats could only be 4.5 m long, 2.4 m wide and max. 0.9 m deep.
Ancient Port
In the road surface, one can still see the structure of the ancient quays and the long gone bridge over the Reie, in those days leading to Bruges.
Sleckeput (locks)
Used to be the lock-chamber, separating the port of Damme from the Zwin and the sea.
Blue Sluice and "Lapscheurse Gat"
At the end of the 16th century, the Dutch cut the dyke near Lapscheure. The insurging water eroded out a channel which is now "Lapscheurse Gat". Between 1746 and 1843 the Blauwe Sluis controlled the drainage of the Polders around the "Lapscheurse Gat". After the cutting of the "Lapscheurse Gat" the drainage was taken over by the Leopold Canal.
Castle of Moerkerke
The castle of Moerkerke, which is still surrounded by water for the most part, is situated south of the church. There is not much left from the original castle. There are only some remnants in the instalments of the cellar and the wall base. The tower - in the middle of the façade - has disappeared.
In 1908 the castle has been rebuild for the greatest part. After the Second World War, alterations have been executed. Only the scutcheon and some hatchments in the main hall - in former times in the church - remind to the former noble residents. The oldest one, from Pierre de la Villette, bears his arm and his year of death in 1716.
After the Second World War, the castle is fitted up as a restaurant.
Castle of Oostkerke
About 1300, a fortified brick private tower was pulled up. At the end of the 14th century, a "Nederhof and a "Opperhof", both surrounded by moats, was built. In 1938, Baron van der Elst rebuilt the decayed castle. The ramparts were deeped again, the stone entrance bridge was repaired and the west wing was replaced by an elegant building in Renaissance style. At the same time, the former foundations of the ring-wall and the donjons were raised. Today the raised foundations do duty as an ornement and a footpath, laid out by the Netherlandisch garden architect Mien Ruys.
Syphons
The Leopold and Schipdonk canal intersect the Damse Vaart in the location of the syphons. The navigable connection between Bruges and Sluis along the Damse Vaart would not have been possible without these syphons. These so-called sag pipes ensured both canals of the Damse Vaart remained navigable.
Castle of Ryckevelde
Originally a fortified farm, dependent on the manour of Male. The oldest mention dates from 1487. During the French government after 1790 the local priest Pavot went here into hiding. He had refused to take the oath of fidelity to the French Republic. At close distance of the still existing farm, a new castle in Neogothic style was pulled up in 1913-1929 by Baron Gillès de Pélichy.
In 1956 the Centre for European and International Education was founded under the management of E.P. K. Verleye.
This restful domain is surrounded by nice alleys and extensive woods, a place for passive recreation. You can find here possibilities for lodging and conference rooms.
Neogothic complex of Vivenkapelle
Built up from the Middle Ages around the chapel in honour of Our Lady, Vivenkapelle grew out to a little society. The existence of Vivenkapelle dates from the 14th century. In 1350, Heindric Braderic, Lord of Viven, became the admission to pull up this chapel. In the 19th century, a well provided Bruges' family donated to Vivenkapelle the necessary tools to extend the chapel to a Neogothic complex.
The projector of the complex is Jean-Baptiste de Bethune. This Neogothic parish complex is protected as a monument and is made up by a church, a parsonage, a monastery with a boy's school and a
nunnery with a girl's school.
Statues
Statue of Jacob van Maerlant, Damme
Flemish poet-writer (± 1235-1293). Wrote his most important work in Damme. He was buried under the church-tower. The statue was sculpted by H. Pickery in 1860.
Memorial of Tijl Uilenspiegel (Tyll Owlglass), Damme
Relief by the sculptor Koos van der Kaai.
Monument of Tijl Uilenspiegel, Damme
Group of sculptures made in 1979 by Jef Claerhout to celebrate the first centenary of the death of Charles De Coster (his literary father)
View of light, Damme
Statue of Charles Delporte (°Charleroi)
