The best traffic-free bike rides around Lovendegem

The Lovendegem Castle looks like it's straight out of a fairytale book. With its many corner turrets, stepped gables, and battlements, it is a particularly photogenic piece of heritage. The domain is private and not accessible, but from the public road, you get a beautiful view of the monumental facade. The history of this place dates back to the 13th century, when a fortified castle tower of the lords of Lovendegem already stood here. Through the centuries, the domain changed owners several times, and the castle was continuously expanded. In the 17th century, Joos Triest, a knight from Ghent, gave the castle a significant expansion, including a northern wing and a chapel. Later, it came into the hands of the Dons de Lovendeghem family, who inhabited the domain for centuries. The romantic view you see today was mainly created during thorough renovations between 1858 and 1888. Architect Paulus Van Kerkhove gave the old core its current eclectic and fairytale-like appearance. The surroundings are also worth seeing. In front of the castle runs an impressive, protected oak avenue of about 1.5 kilometers, which runs straight as an arrow to the Brugse Vaart. A castle that you unfortunately cannot look inside, but from the road, you can already dream away to your heart's content.

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). In the 13th and 14th centuries, the canal experienced its golden age. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were constructed — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — De Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of De Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

The Lieve is a historic inland waterway that was dug between 1251 and 1269 to connect Ghent with Damme (originally Aardenburg). The canal experienced its heyday in the 13th and 14th centuries. Even when the Zwin began to silt up in the 14th and 15th centuries, and later new waterways were built — such as the Sasse Vaart in the 16th century and the Ghent-Bruges Canal in 1613-1614 — the Lieve retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. Today, parts of the Lieve are still visible. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the canal still exists in some places as an open watercourse. In the municipality of Damme, the route is mainly recognizable as a wide strip in the landscape.

De Lieve is a historic inland waterway canal that was dug between 1251 and 1269 from Ghent to Damme, originally Aardenburg. The period of prosperity is situated in the 13th and 14th centuries. Despite the silting up of the Zwin (early 14th and early 15th centuries), the digging of the Sasse Vaart in the mid-16th century, and the digging of the Ghent - Bruges canal in 1613-1614, it retained its original function until the beginning of the 18th century. In Ghent, Evergem, and Lievegem, the Lieve has been preserved as an open watercourse in sections. The route within the municipality of Damme has been preserved as a wide strip in the landscape. Source: https://www.lievegem.be/de-lieve

Beautiful bike ride, well-prepared paths, not busy

Ideal for cycling on this safe track, approximately 45 km between the two towns

On January 1, 2019, Zomergem, Waarschoot, and Lovendegem merged to form Lievegem, after which Zomergem's town hall remained a physical point of contact for citizens, with a focus primarily on digital services. This was the next step in the building's long history, which initially served not only as a town hall but also as a justice of the peace. It was built in 1923 to replace the 1870 town hall, which was destroyed by shelling in 1918. The neo-traditional style is strongly inspired by the town hall by the same architect, Valentin Vaerwyck, built in the "Modern Village" section of the 1913 World's Fair in Ghent. Its monumental character is enhanced by its high basement and double staircase leading to the central entrance. The staircase invited me inside, where, in the office with the sign "mayor," a model of the town hall caught my eye. The council chamber on the top floor was renovated in 1969, after the Justice of the Peace Court moved. Source: Heritage Inventory

Originally, this castle was the seat of the Lords of Lovendegem, initially the Van Lovendegem family, known from the 13th or 14th century. In 1462, the lordship passed to Philip the Good, who was also Count of Flanders. The castle's contents were sold by Emperor Charles V between 1550 and 1552, and ultimately, the lordship was sold to Knight Joos Triest. In 1700, it passed to Gillis Dons, who was elevated to baron in 1716 and changed the family name to Dons de Lovendeghem. The castle remained in the family's possession for centuries. In 1918, Baron I. Dons de Lovendeghem was murdered here. A memorial chapel has been erected at the site of the baron's murder. The actual castle was probably originally a keep with a small house. In the 17th century, Joos Triest added a northern wing with a chapel. In 1721, the right wing and a new facade were built at the behest of Gillis Dons. The castle was further modified in 1858 and 1888. The fully moated building and the surrounding park are not open to the public. You can only admire this truly captivating castle from Kasteeldreef. Source: Wikipedia