Aalter, Deinze and Tielt

This tour takes you through the towns of Deinze and Tielt in the beautiful Meetjesland region. Meetjesland is located in the northwest of the province of East Flanders. The area has been designated a Flemish Regional Landscape. In addition to forests and extensive agricultural land, 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 following centuries. In the 18th century it came into the hands of owners who were passionate hunters. They had a large dog kennel built. The doghouse was heated by an oven. The stately castle is completely surrounded by water and is accessible by two bridges. Deinze originated as Donsa or Dunsa, which probably refers to an area rich in moss. This earliest mention dates back to 840. The city has seen many acts of violence over the centuries, 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. Leatherworking was also important. The beautiful Church of Our Lady in Deinze is a wonderful example of Scheldt Gothic. In Deinze you will find the Museum Van Deinze and the Leie region. The museum has a collection of sculptures by artists from the Leie region. 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 region's industrial past. The Hallentoren, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the city center of Tielt. You can also admire the town hall with its striking facade. The city is seen as the center of the'Molenland\\\': there are many windmills in the rural area around Tielt. Some of them are still in operation and some can be visited.