Pittem: Discover History and Routes

Pittem combines the history of Ferdinand Verbiest with churches, a historic mill and a variety of cycling and walking routes. The routes range from a 2.5-kilometre walk through Pittem’s history to longer cycling tours. They also cover different themes, from monuments and historic maps to agriculture and local produce.

Churches, Verbiest and the Godelieve tradition

In Pittem’s market square, at the foot of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, stands a bronze statue of Ferdinand Verbiest. It depicts him as a Chinese mandarin. At the Verbiest Experience Center, you can learn more about his life and his journey to China. You can visit the center independently for free; guided visits are available by reservation.

The octagonal Romanesque tower of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk has been a protected monument since 1937. Around the church, the Godelieve chapels bear witness to a tradition of devotion that began in 1676. Seven numbered chapels made of rubble stone are arranged at regular intervals on the south, east and north sides. Restoration work took place in 1978 and 2014. The Ommegang Heilige Godelieve was established around the church in 1913 and restored in 1978.

The neo-Gothic Sint-Germanuskerk stands in Egem (Pittem). It was built between 1866 and 1873 to a design by provincial architect Pierre Nicolas Croquison. The churches in Pittem and Egem thus offer different historical points of interest, while the Plaatsmolen adds another building with a history of its own.

The Plaatsmolen and visiting information

The Plaatsmolen, also known as Molen Goethals, is a brick tower mill with a gallery. It was built in 1909 on the site of an older mill complex dating back to the 14th century. On milling days, you can see inside the mill when the door is open; the millers show visitors around and answer questions. Whether a visit is possible depends on the weather, the wind and the availability of the millers. Groups of no more than 15 people can reserve a visit.

Cycling routes of different lengths

The 44-kilometre Verbiestroute starts in Pittem’s market square and is fully signposted. The 52.4-kilometre Wastinefietsroute can also be started there. If you are choosing between the two, their lengths offer a clear comparison: the Wastinefietsroute is 8.4 kilometres longer. For mountain bikers, the Pallieterroute is another option: it is 42.1 kilometres long and includes a red, a blue and a black technical loop.

A guided alternative is the 25-kilometre cycling tour “Fietsen door eeuwen landbouw en landschap”. It passes through Pittem and the village of Egem. Agriculture and the landscape are also the focus of other outings, though their format and length vary.

Walks, maps and agriculture

For a shorter historical walk, try “Buitengewoon Pittem anno 1900”. This 2.5-kilometre loop explores Pittem’s history at the beginning of the 20th century. At about 9 kilometres, the Berghoekpad is considerably longer and follows a hilly route past viewpoints and picturesque country lanes.

Pittem’s ErfgoedApp offers the walk “Astronoom van de keizer” and a junior version for children up to 12 years old. Both pass notable buildings and monuments in the center of Pittem. The app also includes four historical map layers. The oldest is the Ferraris map, from 1771–1778; it also incorporates the Atlas der Buurtwegen from 1841, the Vandermaelen map from 1846–1854 and the Popp Atlas from 1842–1879.

“Een wandeling met Pit” is a 7.8-kilometre walk along paths in Pittem and Pittem Berg. Along the way, you’ll pass four local farms and their respective specialties. A guided cycling tour with a different focus is “Geert gidst langs Korte Keten”: it visits around five farms and food businesses in and around Pittem Berg. Local products are introduced along the way, with small samples on offer.

Zotte Maandag

Zotte Maandag is an annual summer carnival tradition in Pittem and the highlight of the two-week Godelievekermis. During the festive procession, associations from Pittem and Egem, as well as street committees, traditionally honor the dean of the Sint-Elooisgilde. This local celebration adds another facet to Pittem, alongside its churches, chapels and historic routes.

Discover more destinations: Lichtervelde, Veurne, Wevelgem, Anzegem, Zedelgem, Doomkerke, Nieuwpoort, Roeselare

For the main travel overview: West Flanders.