Oostkerke: Village History, Windmill and Polder Landscape

Oostkerke combines a village centre with historic buildings and a walking route through the polder landscape. When looking for a hotel in Oostkerke, it helps to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you mainly like to explore the architectural history, plan a hike or go swimming during the bathing season? Local highlights range from the reconstructed church and historic farmsteads to rows of trees, old dykes and canals.

Village Centre and Church Architecture

The buildings are concentrated in the village centre. Low, whitewashed houses line the streets around the church, whose massive west tower dominates the surrounding area. The Sint-Kwintenskerk has a monumental early Gothic west tower and a nave dating from the 17th century. Its history also includes its destruction during the Second World War: under the direction of architect Luc Viérin, it was faithfully reconstructed from 1952 to 1954. Original fragments of masonry were retained, and original stones were reused.

The Kasteeldomein van Oostkerke was the historic residence of the lords of Oostkerke. Its upper and lower courtyards are a distinctive feature. This offers a different perspective on the village’s history from the church’s reconstruction: here, the focus is on its former role as a residence and the layout of the estate.

Farmsteads, Rectory and Windmill

The Pastorie Sint-Kwintenparochie is a well-preserved example of a rectory on a moated site. The single-storey building, with five bays beneath a gabled roof, was built in 1784; another storey was probably added in 1865. The large garden has largely retained its historic layout. It includes an ornamental garden near the house, a former kitchen garden and an orchard with standard fruit trees. The different parts of the garden make the former divisions of use understandable, even though they did not all serve the same purpose.

Hoeve 't Oosthof can also be explored through its individual buildings: the ensemble, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, comprises a house, a stable, a bakehouse and a barn. There is also a courtyard on the roadside, paved with pebbles. The farmstead is considered a well-preserved example of a fairly large 18th-century farm and a remnant of the way of life at the time. A walk through the village’s history therefore takes in not only the church but also the former rural architecture and way of life.

The Dorpsmolen van Oostkerke, also known as the Molen van Thooft, is a stone tower mill. It was built in 1875 to replace a wooden post mill that had stood for centuries. The contrast between the two types of windmill is part of its architectural history: the stone mill replaced an older wooden structure.

Polder Walk and Seasonal Swimming

The Damse Vaart walking route passes through the wide polder landscape between Damme and Oostkerke. It follows rows of trees, old dykes and ruler-straight canals such as the Damse Vaart. The route connects Damme’s historic town centre with picturesque Oostkerke and returns to the starting point. The landscape and local history take precedence here in a different way than at the historic buildings: the route crosses the polders and follows their characteristic lines. Check the current route before setting out, as details may change.

There is a free swimming area at Monnikerede Bridge in Oostkerke. It is open daily from 1 June to 15 September, from sunrise to sunset, and accessible to residents and visitors. Check the latest water-quality information before swimming. This lets you take the seasonal conditions at the swimming area into account when planning your trip.

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