Kaaskerke: Architecture, Remembrance and Routes

Landscape and Architectural Heritage

Kaaskerke is part of the so-called Middelland van de Polderstreek. The topsoil is characterised by marine sediments, mainly clay. The architectural heritage tells the story of a different period: the reconstruction architecture of the 1920s was inspired by local brick architecture. Clay and brick therefore make distinct contributions—one shapes the landscape, the other the reconstruction. If you organise a trip by theme, you can consider the character of the landscape and the history of the architecture separately before focusing on the specific memorial sites and routes.

Memorial Sites and Museum

The Sint-Bartholomeuskerk in Kaaskerke is a protected monument. The Gedenkkapel voor Paul de Goussencourt has its own story of remembrance: it was built in 1923 after pilot Paul de Goussencourt’s plane crashed at this location during the First World War, and it commemorates him. From Kapellestraat, an unpaved path about 100 metres long leads through the fields to the chapel. The field path is a practical part of planning your visit and distinguishes the approach from the story of the memorial site itself.

The IJzertorencomplex is a large communal First World War memorial in Kaaskerke. The Dodengang is a strategically important trench system on the Belgian front line and was protected after the First World War as evidence of trench warfare. The two sites emphasise different things: one is a communal memorial, the other a protected testament to trench warfare. This allows you to consider remembrance and the history of the front line as distinct but interconnected themes.

The Museum aan de IJzer is located at the European Peace Site “Aan de IJzer”; the site also includes the Paxpoort, the IJzercrypte and the IJzertoren. The IJzertoren houses an interactive museum with exhibitions about war and peace on 22 floors. The name of the peace site describes the wider context, while the tower and its museum are specific parts of the visit. In addition to the grounds of the Museum aan de IJzer, free car parking is available at the IJzerboomgaard car park.

Routes Through History

The IJzerfrontommetje circular walk follows the Frontzate and the Stiltepad, and passes the Museum aan de IJzer and the Dodengang. It starts at the IJzertoren car park. The circular route is 5 kilometres long; if you walk to the Dodengang and back, allow for 6 kilometres. This difference helps you choose the length of your route: you can opt for the shorter circular walk or take into account the extra distance to the Dodengang and back.

Between the Dodengang and the village of Kaaskerke, the Stiltepad follows an old communication trench called “de loopgraaf van de hoop” (“the trench of hope”). In the middle of the Stiltepad stands a ruin, a remnant of Hoeve Sabbe, which was rebuilt after the First World War. Two tangible traces of the past therefore meet along this route: the old communication trench and the ruin of the rebuilt farm.

Natural Sites and Other Highlights

The IJzerboomgaard has an orchard with native fruit trees, walking paths and an adventurous nature play area. This adds places to walk and a nature play area to the historical themes. ‘t Land van Vlierbos includes a picking garden, a community garden, a children’s farm and the Café de IJzerboomgaard. Alongside the memorial sites and the circular route, the orchard, gardens, farm and café can therefore each be considered as separate themes when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Nieuwkapelle.

Go to the broader travel overview: Diksmuide.