Lissewege: Canals, Polders and Church Art

Lissewege combines tranquil landscapes with striking church art and a history closely linked to the village’s waterway. The Lisseweegs Vaartje runs through the village. Historically, it connected Bruges, Ter Doest Abbey and Lissewege; it was constructed in the 13th century to connect Lissewege and Bruges. Anyone planning a trip that combines nature, culture and activity will find several different ways to explore the village’s history here.

Discover Canal Waters and the Polder Landscape

Lissewege’s character is defined by a small canal, white-painted polder houses and expansive fields. This setting appeals to travellers who do not want to spend their days exclusively at a single place of interest, but wish to experience the landscape consciously. Such contrasts also provide plenty to talk about when travelling with children: a cultural tour can be followed by time in the open countryside, without having to limit your itinerary to a single activity.

Monnikenmoere is a special natural area. Salt-tolerant plants grow there, including sea asters, glasswort, salt rush, sea rush and sea milkwort. The area is also a breeding ground for meadow birds, including oystercatchers, lapwings, black-tailed godwits and redshanks. Anyone interested in landscapes and birdlife can take these special features into account when choosing their destinations.

Church, Monastic History and Historic Collections

The village’s defining building is the brick-built Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Bezoekingkerk. It dates from the 13th century and is considered an example of coastal Gothic architecture. Inside are a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary dating from 1625, a striking organ case, and an intricately carved rood screen and pulpit from 1652. The tower can be climbed via 264 steps. This means a visit can be arranged in very different ways: you can focus on the architecture and furnishings or include the tower climb as the more active part of the day.

The history of Ter Doest also offers concrete points of interest. The Cistercians developed the site into a complete monastery complex. The surviving buildings include a 1651 dovecote, a monumental gatehouse from 1662 and an abbey barn dating from the 14th century. The Saints’ Museum displays more than 150 statues of saints in a unique historic setting. This creates a choice between sacred architecture, monastic history and a collection offering numerous individual points of interest.

Combine Hiking, Cycling and Getting There

The signposted Ter Doest walking route is 8.8 kilometres long. It leads through damp meadows and follows quiet paths lined with reeds. Take this distance into account when planning your day and choose the route if you would like to experience Lissewege on foot and with a focus on the landscape. Lissewege is also a suitable starting point for cycling tours.

For journeys by train, Lissewege has its own railway station. From there, it is a five-minute walk to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Bezoekingkerk. The church also offers a view of the lively activity in the port of Zeebrugge. A holiday apartment in Lissewege may therefore be an especially suitable option if you want to combine experiences in nature, historical discoveries and active days. For a more relaxed itinerary, you can focus your choice on individual highlights: a walk through the polder landscape, church art, the walking route or a cycling tour.

Other Places to Consider

If you would like to compare other places alongside Lissewege, you can continue your search here: Dudzele, Sint-Michiels Brugge, Sint-Andries, Assebroek, Zeebrugge and Sint-Kruis.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bruges.