Roeselare, Hooglede and Zilverberg

The meaning of the name"Roeselare\\\" can be derived from the word"reed\\\" (intoxication) and a boot indicates an open place in the forest. The location of the town confirms the name, Roeselare used to be in a swampy and swampy part of the Flemish Forest. Roeselare was mentioned as early as the ninth century and from the tenth century it developed into an important industrial and trading place. In 1250 the town had grown so much and of such importance that it was granted city rights, despite the fact that no defenses had been built around the city. This made Roeselare an easy target for looters. Shooting guilds were established to withstand hostilities, but they were no match for the violence of war. In 1488 and 1492 the city had a hard time in the war against Austria. The devastation that this war brought with it is the reason that almost no early medieval buildings can be seen in the city. Roeselare was rebuilt around 1500, only to be destroyed again during the iconoclasm of 1566 and several subsequent wars. It is a small miracle that, despite the many destructions and disasters, the Saint Michael's Church has remained in reasonably good condition. After the disasters took place, the church was rebuilt again and again, so that three architectural styles can be recognized in it. Roeselare still has the beautiful Rumbeke Castle. The old castle is one of the oldest Renaissance castles in Belgium. The Tudor arch above the east gate contains the coat of arms of the De Thiennes family, who ordered the building of the castle and lived there for centuries. In the eighteenth century it was renovated in a slightly classicist style. Then the nearby Sterrebos was also constructed. The entrance was moved to the south wall in 1730, and the east and west gatehouses were built a year later. A garden of trees has been laid out along the large meadow and the pond and on the square in front of the castle there is an old plane tree, which was planted when the park was laid out in the eighteenth century. If you want to travel safely and want to be sure that you will not be faced with unexpected surprises, we recommend that you take your bike in at Profile Soenen for maintenance. The bicycle specialist's office can be found at the start and end of the route, where you can also park your car for free. With your bicycle discount card you will receive a 10 euro discount on maintenance and repair of defects on your bicycle.