Discover Laarne: Water Castle, Chapels and Nature

Laarne combines a late-medieval water castle with a lively church tradition and trails through the countryside. Those interested in history will find a variety of traces here: a parish church with a long history, chapels from several centuries and a former brewery site. There are also walking and cycling routes, each with a different focus.

Church history and a distinctive procession

The first documented mention of the parish of Laarne dates from 1120. In the 17th century, the Sint-Macharius Church was expanded into the present-day hall church. The Sint-Macharius procession, held every year on Whit Monday, is part of local tradition. During the procession, a relic described as the right rib bone of Saint Macharius is carried through the streets of Laarne and past the town’s chapels. In this single procession, religious tradition and the landscape of chapels come together.

Water castle, chapel and silver collection

Kasteel van Laarne is a fortified late-medieval feudal water castle. Its double-walled design is clearly visible. During the witch trials of the 17th century, the square tower served a grim purpose: it was used as an interrogation and torture chamber. The castle chapel, which dates from the 14th century, reveals another facet of its history. Claude D'Allemagne’s silver collection comprises 500 objects.

The Kasteeldomein van Laarne includes, among other things, inner and outer moats, bridges, an orchard and a garden with a cellar. These features give the estate another dimension beyond the castle itself. When planning your day, it is helpful to treat the water castle as the cultural and historical highlight, then choose other walks or excursions according to your interests.

Chapels and traces of former industries

History can be found beyond the castle too, in places of different sizes. Berlindekapel was built in 1670 as a rural wayside chapel in honour of the Virgin Mary and enlarged in 1774. It is a protected monument. The former Brouwershuis De Visscher and the operational buildings of the former De Hoprank brewery are also protected monuments. The complex is an industrial-archaeological and historical record of the transition from purely craft-based production to a semi-industrial operation.

Another brewery story goes back to 1862: in September, the Walrave brewery began producing top-fermented brown beer and took the name “Den Anker”. This is a glimpse into historical production, not a current visitor offering. Taken together, the histories of the churches, chapels and breweries tell of different forms of local heritage.

Wet meadows and outdoor routes

The Kalkense Meersen is a 950-hectare nature reserve between the town centres of Kalken, Overmere, Uitbergen, Schellebelle and Wetteren. Low-lying, wet meadows, ponds and ditches shape the landscape. Thousands of meadow birds stop there in winter. Cattle grazing helps protect the soil; land management may change. The area therefore offers a different focus from Laarne’s architectural and local history.

If you want to explore on foot, there are several routes to choose from. The 13-kilometre Ridderpad loops around Kattenheye and Kasteel van Laarne. The Kapelletjesroute Kalken-Laarne is a walking route along “slow roads”, passing various chapels. Seven geocaches are hidden along one section of the Heksenpad; their locations may change.

The cycling routes also vary considerably in length and course. The 35-kilometre IJsvogelfietsroute runs from Donkmeer through the Kalkense Meersen to the swimming lake at the Nieuwdonk Provincial Domain. The 49-kilometre Kastelen Fietsroute passes Kasteel van Laarne, Beervelde Castle and Lochristi Castle. This means you can choose between a route through natural and waterside landscapes and a longer ride passing several castles. Routes may change, so check the latest route details before setting out.

Choose the right focus for your stay

When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to ask a simple question: do you want your trip to focus mainly on the castle, church and chapels, or would you like to plan longer walking and cycling routes? Your route and its starting and finishing points can then help shape your day. Check the specific accommodation address to see which tours suit your plans. Children can enjoy a treasure hunt and discovery tour at Kasteel van Laarne with the little witch Heintje.

Discover more destinations: Maldegem, De Pinte, Berlare, Oudenaarde, Aalter, Deinze, Lovendegem, Oosterzele.

Return to the regional travel overview: East Flanders.