The best traffic-free bike rides around Hamme

This church in the village of Vlassenbroek – built without a steeple but with a roof turret above the intersection of the nave and transept – was dedicated to Saint Gertrude of Nivelles. In the Rhineland, she is known – and this is by no means meant disrespectfully – as the "Mouse Saint," since in the Middle Ages she was invoked primarily against those pests that constantly helped themselves to the food supplies in the house and barn.

Tucked away in a meander of the Scheldt River, the village welcomes thousands of hikers, cyclists, and bon vivants every year. The Gothic St. Gertrude's Church, visible from the Scheldt banks, towers over the landscape and is an iconic sight. It's open to the public every Sunday in July and August. Did you know that Vlassenbroek is also a uniquely creative village? This artists' village has a magnetic pull on anyone who loves art and beauty. In these narrow streets, you'll discover a rich collection of works by sculptors and painters. The picturesque surroundings must have something to do with it. It's the perfect place to get lost. (Scheldeland)

Striking are the 18th-century terracotta reliefs on the exterior facades, which depict the five Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. Inside, you'll find a 17th-century pulpit with graceful twisted columns and cherub heads, an 18th-century communion rail, and a unique organ, probably from the Church of Our Lady in Dendermonde. An anecdote that touches the heart of this church is that of Pastor Valery Stuyver (1916–1995), a sculptor who served the parish from 1956 to 1983. He replaced the altar, which had been affected by woodworm, with a stone version of his own making, on which he chiseled in relief the washing of feet during the Last Supper. Above the altar hangs a life-size figure of Christ, also by his hand.

most beautiful bridge in the world. Enough!

uh, what are they doing on the Durme

The Scheldt Valley has been an official national park since 2023 and stretches along the Scheldt estuary between Gentbrugge and Antwerp. Here, freshwater and saltwater meet, creating a unique tidal landscape full of mudflats, salt marshes, and unique plants. Thanks to cleaner water, animals like the otter and the beaver are returning. In some places, the tidal range is visible for up to six meters. A vibrant, dynamic natural landscape that never ceases to amaze.

The 1955 bridge caused considerable traffic congestion, a problem largely resolved since 2009 by the construction of a second parallel bridge. However, the current bridge complex remains a busy traffic intersection, and it largely defines the skyline of the Scheldt municipality of Temse. Cyclists can safely cross the bridge or cross the N16 under it.

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