Oostkerke: Village History and Polder Landscape

Oostkerke combines a distinctive villagescape with historic architecture and the expansive polder landscape between Damme and Oostkerke. The buildings are concentrated in the village centre: low, whitewashed houses stand around St. Quintin's Church, while the massive western tower dominates the surrounding area. This makes it possible to discover the village through both its buildings and its landscape.

Historic Buildings in the Village Centre

St. Quintin's Church has a monumental early Gothic western tower and a nave dating from the 17th century. After its destruction during the Second World War, it was faithfully reconstructed under the direction of architect Luc Viérin between 1952 and 1954. Original fragments of the walls were preserved, and original stones were reused. Anyone interested in church architecture and the visible traces of history will find several eras brought together in one building.

The Kasteeldomein van Oostkerke is also part of Oostkerke's historic character. It was the historic residence of the lords of Oostkerke and is characterised by an upper-court and lower-court layout. Another illustrative example is Hoeve 't Oosthof. The large farm complex is considered a well-preserved example of the 18th century and a relic of the way of life at that time. The group of buildings includes a dwelling house, a stable, a roadside courtyard paved with cobbles, a bakehouse and a barn.

The Sint-Kwintenparochie presbytery completes this picture. The well-preserved rectory stands on an enclosed site and was built in 1784 as a single-storey building with five bays beneath a gabled roof. Another storey was probably added in 1865. The large garden has largely retained its historic form. This includes an ornamental garden near the house, a former kitchen garden and an orchard with standard fruit trees.

Polder Paths and Water Landscape

Those who would like to alternate between culture and activity can include the Damse Vaart walking route in their travel plans. It leads through the expansive polder landscape between Damme and Oostkerke, past rows of trees, old dykes and perfectly straight canals such as the Damse Vaart. The route connects the historic centre of Damme with picturesque Oostkerke and leads back again. It therefore offers a different perspective on the village than a tour of the village centre: the impression is shaped not by individual buildings, but by dykes, waterways and the open landscape.

A Seasonal Swimming Area

A special addition for warm days is the free Monnikerede swimming area at the Monnikerede bridge in Oostkerke. It is open daily from 1 June to 15 September, from sunrise to sunset, and is accessible to residents and visitors. Families can take this fixed period into account when planning if, alongside a visit to the village and the polder landscape, they would also like to spend time by the water.

Choose Oostkerke as Your Accommodation Destination

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Oostkerke, you can use your preferred travel focus as a guide: historic architecture, the polder landscape or, from 1 June to 15 September, a stay by the water offer different starting points for planning your trip.

This allows your choice of accommodation to reflect which aspects of Oostkerke you would like to get to know more closely during your stay. You can also include Sijsele in your further travel plans.

For the overview of the wider area: Damme.