Discover Staden: Culture, Landscape and Places of Remembrance

Staden combines impressive places of remembrance with a varied landscape and experiences for different travel interests. Those looking for a holiday apartment or other accommodation can plan their trip according to whether cultural history, paths through the landscape or shared discoveries with children should be the focus.

Cultural History in the Townscape

A particular connection to the history of the First World War can be seen at the “Track to Infinity” monument. Original railway sleepers from railway line 63 were used for this monument. Wounded soldiers were evacuated along this railway line to base hospitals in France. The site therefore offers a tangible connection to a historical chapter that in Staden can be experienced not only through dates, but also through a striking monument.

The Church of Sint-Jan-Baptist is part of the town’s architectural history. It was rebuilt between 1920 and 1922 in the regional brick Gothic style. South of the church stands a war memorial dating from 1953, dedicated to the military and civilian victims of the First and Second World Wars. The Church of Sint-Bavo also shapes the area’s cultural profile: it is a pilgrimage church dedicated to Our Lady of Rozebeke.

Other historic sites include the “Duitse bunker Houthulstbos” in the territory of Staden, near the municipal boundary with Houthulst, northeast of Houthulstbos and west of Vrijbosstraat. The “Ingebouwde Duitse militaire post Moortelbalk” is a partially underground concrete structure built in as the basement of a villa at Houthulststraat 11. It lies west of the centre of Staden, at the eastern foot of the hill near Stampkot in the hamlet of Moortelbak. The “Duitse militaire post Parnassusberg”, a partially underground concrete structure in a garden at Walstraat 18, immediately east behind the summit of Parnassusberg, is also part of the local military history.

Choose Your Landscape and Trails Consciously

For visitors who like to combine their days with exercise and landscape, the Vrijbosroute provides an interesting setting. It passes through Hooglede, Staden, Houthulst and Kortemark. Another option is the Nestkastwandeling, which follows existing walking and cycling paths to well-known and lesser-known green spaces. Both options can be incorporated into your travel plans as different focal points, without requiring you to limit yourself to purely cultural sightseeing.

At 45 metres, Stadenberg is the highest point in Staden and forms part of the “Rug van Westrozebeke” ridge. This elevation is a distinctive landscape feature for anyone who wants to consider not only the town centre but also the surrounding landscape when choosing a holiday apartment. The “Het Gebied van Staden” local history museum at Marktplaats has been open since 1980 and complements the exploration of local history with a dedicated museum visit.

Ideas for Shared Discoveries

The “'t Ganzengoed” grounds feature a maze, a life-size goose game, a picnic bar and a flower meadow for children. This makes it possible to complement a culturally focused stay with a different kind of activity. Families can divide their days between historical topics, trails through green surroundings and time spent on the grounds. When looking for a holiday apartment in Staden, this selection helps determine the desired mix of sightseeing, exercise and more relaxed moments.

Staden as a Starting Point for Trip Planning

When choosing your accommodation, consider which focus suits your travel plans and which experiences you would like to combine. For further ideas of places to visit, you can also include Westrozebeke, Hooglede, Lichtervelde, Jabbeke, Wervik, Zedelgem, Torhout and De Haan in your further research.

For the overarching travel overview: West Flanders.