Stalhille: Polder Landscape and Cultural Heritage

Stalhille Between Polders and Cultural Heritage

Stalhille can be explored through two easily recognisable themes: its open polder landscape and ecclesiastical heritage. The Oudland Polder Walk is a cultural heritage walk that starts in Stalhille. It passes through the polders, along the canal, and by ecclesiastical heritage and nature areas. For cyclists, Permeke Achterna offers a different perspective: this signposted cycle route runs through all the sub-municipalities of Jabbeke. This means a walk with links to the landscape and local cultural heritage sits alongside a cycle route that takes in the municipal area. If you choose Stalhille for a trip, you can use these differences to help you choose between a walk and a bike ride.

Polder Landscape, Canal and Cycle Route

Permeke Achterna is 27 kilometres long and runs between Oudenburg and Stalhille through an open polder landscape. Its appearance is shaped by damp clay soils, ditches and waterways. The combination of land and water brings the character of the polders to life: the ditches and waterways are part of the landscape, alongside the open fields. The Bruges–Ostend Canal crosses the open polder landscape; the Oudland Polder Walk follows the canal. Schobbejak is a nature area in the polders, where the Agency for Nature and Forests manages around 20 hectares. Another structure on the water is the Stalhille Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle bridge over a canal. It opens when a ship passes. So, when exploring Stalhille, you will encounter both landscape features and nature, as well as a concrete example of how the canal is used.

Church, Organ and Cemetery

The Church of St John the Baptist is centrally located in Stalhille and is surrounded by a rectangular cemetery. The brick church has a beautiful crossing tower; its core is Early Gothic. Its materials, tower form and architectural history offer different clues for understanding the building. The term “crossing tower” draws attention to the architecture, while the Early Gothic core adds historical context. The church also houses a historic organ, built by Jacob van Eynde of Ypres in 1715–1716. The church’s Early Gothic core and the precisely dated organ are thus distinct historical features. The cemetery also offers another perspective on the local landscape: its varied gravestone styles include Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neoclassical forms. The ecclesiastical heritage is therefore reflected not only in the architecture, but also in the history of the organ and the design of the graves.

Paeys Hope and the History of the Village

Paeys Hope adds a historic farmstead at Cathilleweg 6. Its origins date back to the 15th century. This offers another way to explore Stalhille’s history alongside its ecclesiastical heritage: the farmstead represents a rural architectural form, while the church, organ and cemetery reveal other aspects of the local cultural heritage. The farmstead and the organ also provide different points of reference in time. Paeys Hope dates back to the 15th century; Jacob van Eynde built the organ in 1715–1716. Those interested in history will find several specifically named architectural and cultural features in Stalhille, each of which can be explored individually.

Discover more destinations: Varsenare, Snellegem.

View the main travel guide: Jabbeke.