Nieuwkapelle: Polder Landscape and History

Nieuwkapelle combines open polder landscape with a signposted walking route and distinctive traces of the town’s history. The town is part of the Polderstreek: the larger western part lies in the Oudland, and the smaller eastern part in the Middelland. This offers two perspectives for planning your trip: the landscape and its paths, and the history reflected in buildings and surviving traces.

Polder Landscape and Townscape

The Oude Zeedijk in Nieuwkapelle is characterised by small farmworkers’ houses and chapels. West of the IJzer, surviving signposts stand out in the open polder landscape. They were probably put up during the Second World War, so their origin remains a possible historical interpretation. Together with the distinction between the Oudland in the larger west and the Middelland in the smaller east, these features give the landscape a clear character. When choosing a theme for your trip, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the open polder scenery, the distinctive townscape, or the historic buildings.

Walking the Oude Zeedijk Route

The signposted walking route is 7.8 km long and forms a figure eight. Each loop is approximately 4 km; the Put van Nieuwkapelle serves as the central junction. One loop goes around the village, while the other follows the IJzerdijk to the Knokkebrug. The route starts in the village square next to the Dorpsontvangstpunt. The loops make it easy to factor the route into your day’s plans: you can allow for one loop of approximately 4 km or the entire walking route, with both loops. The different routes offer two distinct perspectives—one around the village, the other along the IJzerdijk.

Buildings and History

Villa Marietta brings together two aspects of Nieuwkapelle’s history. It was the country house of Madame Tack, who became known as “Maman des soldats” during the First World War. During the Battle of Diksmuide in October and November 1914, the villa served as the headquarters of the French 89e Division Infanterie Territoriale. The site therefore connects the story of a well-known figure with the building’s military role, while keeping these accounts distinct.

The Parochiekerk Sint-Petrus has its own history as a building: it was rebuilt between 1921 and 1925 to designs by the Bruges architect Antoine Dugardyn. At the historic Hoeve Rood Huis, the farmhouse, gate and barn are protected as monuments. Near Nieuwkapelle, along the IJzerdijk and close to the IJzer, surviving concrete remains of the Redoute Elisabeth from the First World War can also be found. The church, farmstead and redoubt thus offer different ways to discover the history of the town and its surroundings.

Cycling Through Polder Villages

The Boterland cycling route offers another perspective. It runs from Diksmuide through polder villages such as Sint-Jacobskapelle, Nieuwkapelle, Oudekapelle, Lampernisse, Zoutenaaie and Pervijze. Unlike the Oude Zeedijk route, it is described as a cycling route and passes through several named villages; the walking route, in turn, can be planned around its two loops and approximate length. This distinction can help you decide whether to explore a loop around the village on foot or include several polder villages in your trip by bike.

Discover more destinations: Kaaskerke.

Go to the main travel overview: Diksmuide.