Aalter, Deinze and Tielt

This tour takes you through the towns of Deinze and Tielt in the beautiful region of Meetjesland. Meetjesland is located in the northwest of the province of East Flanders. The area has been designated as a Flemish Regional Landscape. In addition to forests and vast agricultural lands, you will also find polders, creeks and canals. It is a wonderful area to explore by bike. The imposing Poeke castle was first mentioned in 1139. It was destroyed in the 15th century and rebuilt and expanded several times over the centuries. In the 18th century, it came into the hands of owners who were passionate hunters. They had a large dog kennel built. The dog kennel was heated by a baking oven. The stately castle is completely surrounded by water and can be reached by means of two bridges. Deinze originated as Donsa or Dunsa, which probably refers to an area rich in moss. This earliest mention dates back to 840. Over the centuries, the city has seen many acts of violence, but has also experienced great periods of prosperity. In the 12th century the cloth industry flourished and in the 16th century the linen and carpet industry. Leather processing was also important. The beautiful Church of Our Lady in Deinze is a magnificent example of Scheldt Gothic. In Deinze you will find the Museum Van Deinze en de Leiestreek. The museum has a collection of sculptures by artists from the Leiestreek. There is also a folklore department with pieces from local folklore, industry and history. You can view archaeological finds from the area and objects from the industrial past of the region. In the city centre of Tielt is the Hallentoren, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. You can also admire the town hall with its striking facade. The city is seen as the centre of the 'Molenland': there are many windmills in the rural area around Tielt. A number of them are still in operation and some can be visited.