Sightseeing in Kortrijk - what to see. Complete travel guide

Kortrijk town is located on the bank of the Lys River. This is just 7 kilometers away from France. This town has been founded by the Romans. At that time Kortrijk was known as Cortoriacum. Later this ancient town was destroyed by the Vikings, but it was rebuilt and in the 12th century this place was a well-protected complex. Kortrijk became prosperous due to the fabrics trading. The quality of fabrics was so good that it had no equivalents elsewhere across the country.

Grote Markt Square is the central part of the modern Kortrijk. Near the square you can see main sights of the town. First you should start your observation by visiting Town Hall building that was built in best traditions of Renaissance. Here you can also see a medieval bell tower and a part of so called Cloth Rows. Many years ago here were located trading outlets. North to the square is located the main religious sight of the town – Collegial Church of St. Martin, which was built in the beginning of the 14th century. This is a magnificent building made in the gothic style. One of its towers has 48 bells. Church of the Most Holy Mother of God is one of the most important architectural and religious monuments that has survived through years. The church was built in the end of the 12th century. Nearby the church you can see amazingly beautiful houses, the walls of which are colored in white and roofs are colored orange. This part of the town is traditionally calm and silent, despite its proximity to the center.

While making a walk in the garden, you will see Broel Toren that was built in 14th-15th centuries. The towers from this complex have been once used as protective facilities and today they remind of the glorious military past of this place. Near this architectural complex is located a small museum that will provide guests with very interesting information about the history of the city. Mother of God Hospital is another important architectural place of interest that is definitely worth visiting. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the immediate vicinity of the city, there is a very interesting Museum of Smoking Pipes and Tobacco. It is located in a beautiful historic building. To visit this museum will be interesting even to those who have never experienced a special attraction to tobacco smoking. Among the exhibits of this museum are various options for smoking pipes, cigarette cases, boxes of tobacco and other accessories, some of which are over 500 years old.

An excursion to the Museum of Peter Benoit promises to be very informative. It is dedicated to the life and work of the famous Flemish composer. The main feature of this museum is that it is interactive. Its visitors are offered to travel back into the end of the 19th century, to try out different musical instruments and look at the composer’s belongings. On the territory of this museum, there is a small old house, in which the atmosphere of past centuries was recreated. Many interesting old things are kept here.

In Kortrijk, part of the defensive structures that were built during the Middle Ages, were preserved. Next to the Church of Our Lady is the architectural complex “Broeltorens”. It is a fragment of the fortification wall, which was destroyed in the 18th century. The ancient tower, which was built as far back as the beginning of the 15th century, is preserved here. Today, it is accessible to all those who crave it.

Among the numerous religious attractions of the city is the Saint Martin’s Church. The very first Christian church in its place was built in the middle of the 7th century. The construction of a new church in the Gothic style began in the late 14th century. Its erection was finally completed only in 1466. Many elements of the decoration of this church have survived to this day, including an incredibly beautiful tabernacle, whose height is 6.5 meters. It was installed in the church in 1585.

An unusual architectural monument is the Church of the Archangel Michael that was built in the beginning of the 17th century by special order of the Jesuit order. Originally, the facade of the church and its interior decoration were made in the Baroque style. During the reconstruction of the 19th century, the church acquired unique features in the Neo-Gothic style. The main religious artifact of the church is the miraculous statue of Our Lady, made of ivory.