Kortrijk
Places of Interest
Kortrijk is best known as the location of one of the most symbolic battles in Flemish history: The Battle of the Golden Spurs. It was here on 11th July 1302 that a group of Flemish peasants, enraged by French rule, defeated the elite of the French army and brought back hundreds of golden spurs from the slain knights as a symbol of their triumph. It was a landmark victory that paved the way for Flemish independence, and the battle date is still commemorated every year as an official Flemish holiday. The spurs were hung in the Onzelievevrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) for a couple of years until they were reclaimed by the French after a subsequent battle. However, the church today retains the symbols in paintings on the church ceilings. Also of interest in the Church of Our Lady is the Chapel of the Counts, with its mural paintings of the Counts of Flanders.
Belgian town squares never fail to impress. The Grote Markt is lined with spectacularly grand old buildings that are well worth visiting. The Stadhuis or town hall is a late-Gothic masterpiece adorned with narrow spires and ornate, stained glass arched windows.
The last remaining fortifications from the medieval town are the Broel Towers, which rise majestically from the 12th century bridge that spans the River Leie. Another impressive tower in the town is the belfry of St Martin’s church, built in the late-Gothic period with a 49-bell carillon. A marvellous example of a traditional Belgian begijnhof (beguinage) can be found next to St Martin’s church. A begijnhof is a residence for an old order of religious women called Begijns, who lived similar lives to nuns but with less strict vows. Kortrijk’s begijnhof was founded in the 13th century, although the current houses and courtyard date from the 17th century. It’s typical of the traditional begijnhof style – small whitewashed and red brick cottages arranged around a cobbled courtyard with neatly planted gardens and trees.
Belgian town squares never fail to impress. The Grote Markt is lined with spectacularly grand old buildings that are well worth visiting. The Stadhuis or town hall is a late-Gothic masterpiece adorned with narrow spires and ornate, stained glass arched windows.
The last remaining fortifications from the medieval town are the Broel Towers, which rise majestically from the 12th century bridge that spans the River Leie. Another impressive tower in the town is the belfry of St Martin’s church, built in the late-Gothic period with a 49-bell carillon. A marvellous example of a traditional Belgian begijnhof (beguinage) can be found next to St Martin’s church. A begijnhof is a residence for an old order of religious women called Begijns, who lived similar lives to nuns but with less strict vows. Kortrijk’s begijnhof was founded in the 13th century, although the current houses and courtyard date from the 17th century. It’s typical of the traditional begijnhof style – small whitewashed and red brick cottages arranged around a cobbled courtyard with neatly planted gardens and trees.