The heritage of two world wars
Traces of conflict in a border zone
Traces of the First World War in Meetjesland
Meetjesland is close to the border with the Netherlands. In the past, this was often synonymous with war. You can still see traces of World War I here. Bunkers, smuggling routes and the Wire of Death: you'll find them all here.
Scene of many battles
Both WWI and WWII wreaked havoc in Meetjesland. Especially in the vicinity of the strategically located Schipdonk Canal, there were regular heavy battles. During the German retreat at the end of World War I, things got ugly near Ronsele.
Cycling along the Schipdonk Canal
Where a ruthless battle was fought back then, now lies a beautiful nature reserve. The cycling route along Schipdonk Canal starts at provincial estate Het Leen, with 265 hectares of forest, fishing ponds and an arboretum the jewel in the Meetjesland crown. Be sure to pop into the educational forest information centre. Climbing the imposing watchtower, you can see the entire region.
The cycling route also passes through the heart of Eeklo, among other places. Finish at the provincial regional centre Huysmanhoeve, where you can enjoy a refreshing glass of regional beer in the cafeteria. Beware: the ride is 57 kilometres long. Perseverance is the keyword!
Forgotten history: the Wire of Death
Achtung! Hochspannung! Lebensgefahr! During World War I, the Germans erected the Wire of Death along the border between occupied Belgium and neutral Netherlands: a kilometre-long barbed wire under high voltage that was supposed to change the minds of smugglers and refugees. 1,000 people were electrocuted. But many others did manage to cross to the Netherlands, to smuggle butter or get English soldiers back home.
A replica of the Wire of Death, in the shadow of the wooden guard tower, can be seen in Boekhoute, at the junction of Braakmanstraat and Olmendijkweg. At the Isabellagemaal (Haven 83, Assenede) there is a work of art by Wesley Meuris commemorating the victims.
Under the skin of a smuggler
In Assenede, you can take part in the 1914-1918 experience walk. You step into the shoes of a smuggler and try to get a message across the border undetected. Please note: The German occupier is watching over everything! The walk starts at a cosy Boekhout pub. From there, a smuggler will take you along one of his historic routes. After the tour, a culinary battle awaits!
Traces of the Wire of Death
The Wire of Death walking route is just over 10 kilometres long. It passes the Wire of Death Monument, the original steel Bailey bridges dating from World War II and the former fishing village of Boekhoute, among others.
Until the early 1950s, the Braakman, an arm of the Western Scheldt, was located here. Fishermen from Boekhoute sailed from there into the sea, a tradition unfortunately lost when the Braakman was closed with a dyke. The Boekhoute Visitor Centre tells the story of this 'fishing village without a port' and a lot of special stories from World War I. Under Olmendijkje, for example, you will find a narrow tunnel where smugglers smuggled butter, letters and refugees into the neutral Netherlands.
Great Women
Be sure to visit the Great Women & The Great War exhibit on the top floor. Gripping stories of women executed during World War I for smuggling information for the homeland. The highest percentage of women in Belgium died in Boekhoute during the First World War. A very curious history.
The Boekhout church is also worth a visit. In the side aisles, the village's ethnologists and guides have created an interesting exhibition about Boekhoute during the two world wars.
Bunkers in Meetjesland
Still notable remnants of the Great War are the bunkers of the Hollandstellung, a defence line on the border with the Netherlands with a length of over 75 km. The occupying forces feared that an Allied invasion force would advance from the (neutral) Netherlands to liberate Belgium. However, the invasion never materialised.
Today, around a hundred bunkers remain in Meetjesland as silent witnesses of that period. The walls of the structures were often over two metres thick and made of reinforced concrete - the world's first application of concrete in bunker construction. Also very special is the bunker right opposite 44 Leopoldlaan in Eeklo. The little building was camouflaged as a gatekeeper's lodge, with painted window panes, curtains and even flowers. To date, this is the only such specimen in Belgium.
Walking along the bunkers
The Lembeek Woods are a 305-hectare nature reserve that flows seamlessly into the Bellebargie Forest. There you will find the most beautiful lanes in the entire region. A special attraction is Den Bevenden Hazelaar, a tree on the site where the Count of Cleves was murdered in the 18th century. Later, another Maria chapel was added.
Several WWI bunkers are located on the Lembeek Woods hiking trail. You'll also pass by the fun Bardelaere Local History Museum, with more than 15,000 museum pieces from more than 100 ancient trades. Part of the museum is a restored bunker, completely customised for children! Finished your visit? Then take a breather on the charming outdoor pub terrace at the museum.
Download the walking route on Routen.be
The youngest belfry in the world
Flanders and northern France are famous for their late medieval belfries: towers where the city's important charters and liberties were stored. The belfries symbolised the cities' independence.
Eeklo also has such a belfry, albeit the only one of its kind. Because at first glance it looks medieval but is not. The tower was not completed until 1932 as an extension to the town hall, in memory of the victims of the First World War. So historically, the Eeklo belfry on the Market Square is an anomaly, but it is the youngest belfry on the Unesco World Heritage List. The town hall itself, in the Flemish Renaissance style, dates from the seventeenth century.
Traces of the Second World War in Meetjesland
Meetjesland is close to the border with the Netherlands. In the past, this was often synonymous with war. You can still see traces of World War II here.
Scene of many battles
Both WWI and WWII wreaked havoc in Meetjesland. Especially in the vicinity of the strategically located Schipdonk Canal, there were regular heavy battles. There was heavy fighting at the beginning of World War II, including around Zomergem. A massacre of civilians was committed in Vinkt.
But particularly fierce battles were fought when the Germans withdrew in September 1944. Canadians, British and Poles fought between Eeklo and Knokke-Heist to gain control of the Western Scheldt and access to the port of Antwerp. Maldegem was the location for one of the bloodiest battles our country experienced during World War II.
Between 800 and 900 Canadian soldiers lost their lives along the banks of the Leopold Canal. In the church of the picturesque village of Boekhoute, the village's ethnologists and guides have created an interesting exhibition about Boekhoute during the two world wars.
Cycling along the Schipdonk Canal an Leopold Canal
Where a ruthless battle was once fought, now lies a beautiful nature reserve. The cycling route along Schipdonk Canal starts at provincial estate Het Leen, with 265 hectares of forest, fishing ponds and an arboretum the jewel in the Meetjesland crown. Be sure to pop into the learning forest information centre. Climbing the imposing watchtower, you can see the entire region.
This cycling route also passes very close to Eeklo. In the centre of the town you can find the Canada Square in honour of the Canadian liberators in WWII. A wonderful picnic spot! You also pass the Canada Poland War Museum (more on that later) and the Canadian Military Cemetery. In Balgerhoeke, a Sherman tank at the lock complex bears witness to past war operations.. Beware: the ride is 48 kilometres long. Perseverance is the keyword! Unless, of course, you choose an electric bike.
Download the cycling route on Routen.be
WWII as you've never experienced it
Have you always been fascinated by World War II? Adegem is home to the Canada Poland War Museum, dedicated entirely to the heroes of the liberation. The mobilisation, occupation and victory over the Nazis are depicted with more than 300 dolls with full uniforms, weapons and broadcasting equipment: a unique private collection at European level. The Maple Leaf section displays battles of WWII in miniature, with thousands of soldiers, tanks, weapons, vehicles, cannons etc. It took 7 years to recreate everything exactly.
To say the museum is particularly imposing is an understatement. Afterwards, you can chat and relax in the tearoom. The Canadian Room is a unique place, where you can enjoy a bite to eat and a drink in an impressive historical setting. Highly recommended!
Find Canada Poland Museum here
Cycling along the battlefields
Want to see for yourself where the Polish and Canadian liberators fought the Nazis? Then you can sign up for a guided cycling tour in the Adegem and Maldegemarea. During the tour, the Meetjesland guides will tell you all about the battlefields and historical events of the Canadian liberators. Among other things, you'll visit the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, where more than 1,100 fallen heroes found eternal rest.
The cycling tour starts and ends at the Canada Poland War Museum. He gives you an insight into the horrors the soldiers endured and the long road they had to travel to achieve victory. The now-quiet environment will reveal all its secrets. And you will experience history like never before. If you request it in advance, and provided they are available, you can even conduct the tour in historic military vehicles.
Information and reservations at meetjeslandsegidsen.be
Spend the night next to a bomber
Holiday home De Vakantieschuur is idyllically located in the secluded Eerstestraat in Sint-Laureins. A trendy interior, a spacious terrace with garden... But also a location with a secret. A real WWII bomber is buried at the property of the neighbours and owners of the holiday home.
Here's why: Meetjesland was right under the flightpath between London and Berlin during the war. During the bombing raids at the end of the war, aircraft would sometimes get into trouble. And so that was the case with a Wellington bomber struck by lightning over Sint-Laureins.
Eerstestraat is certainly not the only place in Meetjesland where a plane crashed. But probably the only place where the plane was buried at the request of the family as a final resting place for the fallen. In the garden next to De Vakantieschuur, on the spot where Officer David Wilson Horrocks was buried along with his plane, there now lies a simple memorial. The site is on private property and cannot be visited, but it is a beautiful Meetjesland story. A piece of eventful history in otherwise quiet Sint-Laureins.
Living history
History coming to life before your eyes: in Meetjesland you can see for yourself how the wars raged here. But World War I too left its mark in the region. You can find that history here.