The Hills around Poperinge

Starting point of this route is Poperinge, worth exploring. The city center of Poperinge has three large Gothic churches: the Sint-Bertinuskerk, the Gothic hall church of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk with a pointed tower of 70 meters high and the Sint-Janskerk from 1300. Also take a look at the Weeuwhof. These houses, built around a courtyard, are very reminiscent of a beguinage. However, they were intended to house single women and widows (widows), who used to make a living with bobbin lace. Canon Proventier had the court built between 1769 and 1782, the pump in the courtyard mentions the names of the founders. The court now has a social housing function. You cycle to Kemmel on a beautiful rural route. There is also a lot to see here. The De Warande domain here forms a 16-hectare park with a castle that functions as a town hall. The park forms an excellent walking area with many open spaces and a rich assortment of plants; the site is well connected by the various paths. In Kemmel you will also find the Command Bunker Kemmel. Descend into a top-secret command bunker of the Belgian Armed Forces, the nerve center of the Supreme Command during the Cold War. The bunker, built in the early 1950s, is intended as a command post for an international air defense system. However, the bunker will never hold that function. In the early 1960s, the Supreme Command of the Belgian Armed Forces decided to set up the bunker as a command post in the event of an exercise, crisis or conflict. After the Cold War, the bunker became empty. The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History has been commissioned to preserve this unique piece of military heritage and make it accessible to the public. Experience what our soldiers experienced during the Cold War: step into the time machine and fly back to the Cold War. You will also find several museums in Poperinge to extend your day out. The Hop Museum is located in the city scale complex: hops used to be weighed, inspected and stacked here. In 2006 the museum underwent a true metamorphosis. The existing building was expanded with a spacious annex where workshops, beer seminars, exhibitions and fun children's activities now take place. The Hop Museum is the center for hops and beer. Since this year you can admire the Belgian beer collection: more than 1400 Belgian beers collected in a cabinet. Talbot House refers to another episode in Poperingen's history: WWI. During the First World War, this small town grew into a metropolis in no time during the First World War as a garrison for the British. Every day thousands of soldiers passed through on their way to and from the front. The city quickly gained fame thanks to its cheerful and relaxed atmosphere. Because of the many cafes, restaurants, concert halls, brothels, cinemas and shops, it sometimes seemed to the tired soldiers as if they had ended up in Paris. At that time, the 6th Division of the British Army rented the civilian home of the Coevoet family and, under the direction of Chaplain Philip'Tubby\\\' Clayton, converted it into a clubhouse where all soldiers were welcome, without distinction of rank or status. state. For many of them this place became their 'home away from home'. Just like thousands of soldiers and pilgrims before you, you can still spend the night in Talbot House today.