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OstendIn the past it was one of the largest Belgian ports and was the main port for ferries to Dover and Folkestone.
It is characterized by unusual developments for a seaside landscape, consisting of apartment blocks and single-family home estates, with wide white beaches stretching in front of them. Some people are offended by this difference, others are delighted with it. Ostend is also a major hub for the region's public transport network, with fast, comfortable and frequent trams running along the beaches to Knokke-Heist in the east and De Panne in the west. |
Ostend's glory days began in 1834, when the first King of the Belgians, Leopold I, chose it as his summer residence. The modernization of the city began and it was connected by railway to Brussels. Thanks to royal approval, the city became increasingly popular, which resulted in the construction of numerous resorts. Many aristocrats from Europe flocked here, making Ostend one of the most popular and cosmopolitan bathing resorts in Europe.
Today, little remains of old Ostend. Today's city center stretches next to the train station. One of the first monuments that catches the eye is the Church of St. Peter and Paul (St. Petrus en Pauluskerk). This beautiful neo-Gothic church appears to be a very old monument, but it was actually completed in 1907. The chapel behind the main altar houses the mausoleum of Louise Marie, the first queen of Belgium, who died in Ostend. The massive tower of the church of St. Peter, located behind the temple, better known as the Peperbusse, with the canopied Chapel of the Crucifixion , was built in 1478. It is the only remnant of the original church, which burned down in the 19th century.
Today, little remains of old Ostend. Today's city center stretches next to the train station. One of the first monuments that catches the eye is the Church of St. Peter and Paul (St. Petrus en Pauluskerk). This beautiful neo-Gothic church appears to be a very old monument, but it was actually completed in 1907. The chapel behind the main altar houses the mausoleum of Louise Marie, the first queen of Belgium, who died in Ostend. The massive tower of the church of St. Peter, located behind the temple, better known as the Peperbusse, with the canopied Chapel of the Crucifixion , was built in 1478. It is the only remnant of the original church, which burned down in the 19th century.
Church of St. Peter and Paul (sint Petrus en Pauluskerk)
K the cornerstone for the construction of this magnificent neo-Gothic church was laid in 1901 King Leopold II. The construction was completed in 1907. The church was damaged during both wars. The main portal of the temple is equipped with a magnificent rose window, flanked by blind arches. Inside the church there is a beautiful painting of the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus. All the original stained glass windows were destroyed during both wars. The contemporary one was created by Michael Martens (1921-2006). They depict Belgian kings and Saints Peter and Paul. Behind the church chancel there is the chapel of Queen Luisa Maria (1812-1850). She rests in marble tomb.
Church of St. Peter and Paul
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The tower of the church of St. Peter
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Chapel of the Crucifixion
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A lonely tower standing behind the church of St. Peter and Paul, commonly known as Peperbusse, is the only remnant of the church of St. Peter, which burned down in 1896. The construction of this single-nave church began in 1438. It was destroyed twice, first by the British fleet during the Siege of Ostend (1601-1604), then in 1706 during the shelling of the ongoing War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1713).
In 1675 the Baroque part of the church was built. The octagonal tower superstructure, built on a massive square base, was built in 1729. In the years 1764-1766, a chapel was built on the northern wall of the tower.
The fact that the tower is still standing, even though the entire church burned down, is thanks to famous artists such as Fernand Khnopff and Emilie Verhaeren. In 1910, they prevented the demolition of one of the few witnesses to the city's history, which still remembers the times before the siege of Ostend. In 1925, a Baroque portal was added to the south side of the tower. On November 5, 1946, the Peperbusse Tower was declared a protected monument.
In 1675 the Baroque part of the church was built. The octagonal tower superstructure, built on a massive square base, was built in 1729. In the years 1764-1766, a chapel was built on the northern wall of the tower.
The fact that the tower is still standing, even though the entire church burned down, is thanks to famous artists such as Fernand Khnopff and Emilie Verhaeren. In 1910, they prevented the demolition of one of the few witnesses to the city's history, which still remembers the times before the siege of Ostend. In 1925, a Baroque portal was added to the south side of the tower. On November 5, 1946, the Peperbusse Tower was declared a protected monument.
Peperbusse
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Peperbusse
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War memorial
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King's Monument
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Church of St. Peter and Paul
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Church of St. Peter and Paul
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Model of the church
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Near the church of St. Peter and Paul, at the entrance to the port, the Mercator is moored. From 1932 to 1960, this three-masted sailing ship served the Belgian merchant fleet. Its interior houses a maritime museum. Mercator sometimes it sails out of port to participate in sailing shows.
Mercator
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Amandine
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Casino Kursaal
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Opposite the interesting station building, the retired fishing boat Amandine is moored at the marina. The interior of this old seagoing fishing boat has been transformed into an interactive museum.
The next landmark is the Kursaal Casino building, built in 1953. It was built on the site of a similar building dating from 1852. Most classical music concerts take place here, and one of rooms intended for gambling games was decorated with paintings by Paul Delvaux. On either side of the casino is the town's main attraction, a strip of sandy beach, stretching east to the port and west to De Panne. While walking in the distance you can see see large ships passing by. It is also worth going to the pier, but remember to wear something warmer.
The next landmark is the Kursaal Casino building, built in 1953. It was built on the site of a similar building dating from 1852. Most classical music concerts take place here, and one of rooms intended for gambling games was decorated with paintings by Paul Delvaux. On either side of the casino is the town's main attraction, a strip of sandy beach, stretching east to the port and west to De Panne. While walking in the distance you can see see large ships passing by. It is also worth going to the pier, but remember to wear something warmer.
Promenade
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Beach
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The buildings of Ostend
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Ostend Seaside - More Than Just Sand
The summer sand sculpture festival takes place in Ostend. In 2019, the theme was dreams . Forty sculptors from around the world created dozens of magnificent sculptures using sand transported on 240 trucks. The sculptures were between 2 and 6 meters high. In 2017, Disneyland Paris celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, so the main theme was Disney characters.
Tourists interested in more than just the beach will probably want to visit museums. Ostend has several to offer. The most important include the Raversyde Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the James Ensor Museum. Fort Napoleon, located among the wild dunes, can also be an interesting place.
Raversyde - World War I and II Museum
This is a wonderful museum, one of the main attractions on the Belgian coast. An extraordinary witness to the history of World War I and II. This site is one of the best-preserved parts of the Atlantic Wall. There are over 60 bunkers, observation and artillery positions in the open area, connected by two kilometers of open or underground corridors. This line of fortifications was built by the Germans during World War II and ran from the French-Spanish border to Norway.
The Raversyde Museum houses the only German coastal battery from World War I, the Aachen Battery. It consisted of guns, observation bunkers and living quarters for soldiers. The Germans built fortifications along the Belgian coast to protect the ports of Zeebruge and Ostend (operational bases of German submarines). During a few hours of visiting the museum, we can admire not only the wonderfully restored military exhibits, but also beautiful views of the beaches of Ostend.
The Raversyde Museum houses the only German coastal battery from World War I, the Aachen Battery. It consisted of guns, observation bunkers and living quarters for soldiers. The Germans built fortifications along the Belgian coast to protect the ports of Zeebruge and Ostend (operational bases of German submarines). During a few hours of visiting the museum, we can admire not only the wonderfully restored military exhibits, but also beautiful views of the beaches of Ostend.
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Address:
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Opening hours:
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Fare:
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Duinenstraat 147
8400 Ostend |
March 14-December 11
Monday-Friday: 10:00-17:00 Saturday-Sunday: 10.00-18.00 |
10 euros
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James Ensor House Museum
M The museum was placed in the house where the artist lived in the years 1917-1949. The museum does not have the artist's original works. Instead, it transports visitors to artistic Ostend at the beginning of the 20th century. In the house where he lived, which he inherited from his aunt, we will see original furniture, full-size reproductions of his paintings and documents belonging to him.
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Address:
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Opening hours:
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Fare:
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Vlaanderenstraat 29,
8400 Oostende |
Tuesday-Sunday
10.00-18.00 |
Adults: 14 Euro
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Fort Napoleon
Fort will probably be of interest to people who are not focused solely on sunbathing. It is located 500 meters from the Duin en Zee stop of the Kust coastal tram, almost in the middle of the wild sand dunes. It is the only intact Napoleonic fortress in Europe. The emperor built it in 1811 to defend against a possible attack from England. During both wars, the fort was the target of German artillery attacks. Nowadays it houses a museum and a restaurant.
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Address:
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Opening hours:
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Fare:
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Vuurtorenweg 13,
Oostende 8400 |
01/04-11/11 Tuesday-Sunday
10.00-18.00 12/11 - 31/03, Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-17.00 |
11 euros
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