Damme: Historic Buildings and Polder Landscape

For a stay in Damme, historic buildings, the canal landscape and activities in the polders offer different points of interest. The Damse Vaart, also known as the Napoleon Canal or the Bruges–Sluis Canal, is about 14 kilometres long. It connects Bruges and Sluis by water and passes through Damme. This waterway shapes both how you find your way around the town and the landscape you can explore on walks and cycling routes.

Town Hall, Hospital and Church

The Gothic town hall was built between 1464 and 1467 on the site of, and partly on the foundations of, a larger hall dating from 1241, which had fallen into disrepair by then. Its construction history thus brings together two distinct periods: the older hall and the later town hall. Sint-Janshospitaal dates from the 13th century. As an early Gothic hospital, it is one of the few surviving early examples of civic architecture in Flanders.

The Church of Our Lady also offers a tangible connection to the past: it was built in 1225 and houses wooden statues of the Apostles dating from the 13th century. The tower can be climbed via 206 steps, with visits indicated from April to September. The panorama takes in the 17th-century town walls, the Damse Vaart and the vast polder landscape. Check whether the tower is currently open to visitors before your visit.

The historic town centre is enclosed by a 17th-century earthen fortification, including bastions, ravelins and moats. These features give the fortification a varied layout and add another perspective on the historic town centre to its architectural history. The town hall, hospital, church and fortification represent different building purposes and periods.

Museums, Exhibitions and Book Market

The Tyll Owlglass Museum provides insights into the pranks and jests of Tyll Owlglass, his international counterparts, and the cultural and historical context in which the character originated. The “Damme en de Zwinstreek” visitor centre has permanent exhibition areas on the origins and development of Damme, the landscape of the Zwinstreek, and the forts and defensive structures of the Staats-Spaanse Linies. The topics range from the town and its development to the landscape and defensive structures.

A recurring date to consider when planning your trip is the themed book market, held in Damme on the second Sunday of every month. If you’d like to visit the market, plan your trip around this schedule. This lets you coordinate the date with the other highlights of your trip, without limiting your cultural experiences or stay to a single event.

The visitor centre also provides information on cycling networks, walking routes, horse-riding routes and activities in nature areas. It brings together guidance on different ways to explore the surrounding area. The permanent exhibition and this travel information focus on different things: the exhibition covers history, landscape and defensive structures, while the guides focus on routes and nature experiences.

Routes Through the Canal and Polder Landscape

The “Damse Vaart walking route” passes through the expansive polder landscape between Damme and Oostkerke. For anyone interested in walking, it offers a direct way to experience the landscape between the two places. The “Kennismaking met Damme” walk is different: it is not signposted. Use the accompanying route materials to find your way.

You can also explore the area by bicycle. Damme has kilometres of towpaths along the canals, as well as marked walking and cycling routes. These types of paths differ in their signage: the walk mentioned above is not signposted, while other walking and cycling routes are indicated as marked. The visitor centre also provides information on cycling networks and walking routes.

Maïsterplan adds a seasonal outing in summer: this three-hectare maze is located in a cornfield on the Zuiddijk in Damme and can be visited in summer. Its seasonal availability is important to bear in mind when planning. Alongside the book market, historic buildings and routes through the polders, it offers another reason to visit—one that does not assume all activities take place in the same season or involve the same way of exploring.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sijsele, Oostkerke, Jabbeke, Wielsbeke, Middelkerke, Deerlijk, Ruiselede, Heuvelland.

For the main travel overview: West Flanders.