The best walks and hikes around Celles

The Lordship of Guermignies (one of the streets in Pottes still bears that name), of which the castle was once the seat, produced figures who played an important role in the history of our region. For instance, the House of Croÿ was of great importance in the unification of the Netherlands. The current appearance of the building is that of a large farmhouse rather than a castle.

The Pottes war memorial commemorates 16 military and 23 civilian victims (including 16 deportees) of both world wars.

The neo-Gothic St. Anthony the Hermit Church (with an integrated Gothic west tower) in Pottes was built in 1912-1913 to a design by P. Clerbaux. It replaced the late 18th-century church that burned down completely on July 17, 1911. That church also had a predecessor, built in 1432 and demolished in 1777. The patron saint, St. Anthony the Hermit or St. Anthony of Egypt (Heracleopolis Magna, Egypt, 251 – Colzimberg, Egypt, 356) was a Christian saint known as the father of monasticism. Source: Wikipedia

Tradition has it that the first church was built here around 650, consecrated by Saint Eloi himself. The first church in Helkijn was supposedly served by the monks of St. Martin's Abbey in Tournai. The patronage of the parish church belonged to the Bishop of Tournai, who was also the feudal lord and partial owner of the Lordship of Helkijn. The oldest verifiable church building dates from 1200. Archaeologists discovered the remains of a single-nave Romanesque structure made of Tournai stone in the substructure of the current St. John's Church. Due to its strategic location on the border between the County of Flanders and the French-aligned Tournai, Helkijn repeatedly played an important military role. Consequently, the church was destroyed many times. During the Nine Years' War between France and Austria (1688-1697), the church treasures were plundered, and in 1694, French troops burned the building to the ground. Thanks to a special subsidy from the Sun King (Louis XIV), likely due to the warm welcome he received at La Folie (see Maes farm), the church's reconstruction was completed in 1705. The brick bell tower was added to the complex in 1716. During the French Revolution, the church was closed and its contents sold at public auction. The church was destroyed again during the First World War. In 1990, the interior was completely restored with the support of the municipality, the diocese, and the King Baudouin Foundation. The interior is now the result of a compromise between contemporary elements, differentiated white walls, a soft blue choir canopy, and original 18th-century Baroque style. Church Treasures: A remarkable silver dish made in Bruges at the end of the 17th century; a stylish silver ceremonial staff, topped with a silver statuette depicting Saint John the Baptist. The patron saint of the church, Saint John the Baptist, is invoked against "vreze" (bad dreams) and is celebrated on June 24th. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

Until 1955, people used to swim here, but now it's a fascinating spot on your walking tour. You'll see the old pool with the original changing rooms and The Fisherman: a 10-meter-high sculpture by Tom Herck, previously displayed on the Grand Canal during the Venice Biennale. There's also a permanent outdoor exhibition. Eight artists were inspired by the former swimming pool and display their work on panels between the changing rooms, along with nostalgic archive photos. In the summer, relax at the summer bar and linger a little longer. Fun fact: in 1935, a water purification testing factory stood here. King Leopold III even visited. The project was canceled, and the pool closed in 1955, but it did receive protected monument status. Source: www.toerisme-leiestreek.be

The Spiere lock was built around 1920. It spans a height difference of two meters. The structure can accommodate six small vessels at once. Although the maximum tonnage is 1350, vessels up to 1800 tons can also be accommodated in exceptional circumstances. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

At the corner of Maagdestraat and Kooigembosweg, on the border between Kooigem and Espierre-Helchin/Spiere-Helkijn (also the language border), stands this simple roadside chapel, popularly known as "Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ter Ruste" (Our Lady of Rest) or "Peter's Chapel." A statue of the Virgin Mary sits in the niche. Pieces of cloth are tied to the bars of the niche, left in gratitude for healing (from fever), an old tradition that may refer to a Germanic custom. Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

Bridge over the Scheldt, which connects Helkijn in West Flanders and Pottes in Hainaut