Geluwe, Menen and Dadizele

This varied round takes you through a hilly landscape with a lot of agriculture. The region is known as the tobacco region. Along the way you will visit places such as Geluwe, Menen, Dadizele and Kruiseke. This area was scarred by heavy war action on the front lines in the First World War and is therefore dotted with memorials, war monuments and cemeteries. The ride starts in Geluwe. Menen was famous for its beer in the 16th century. The city then had 104 master brewers. In 1548, much of the city was destroyed by fire. As a border town, Menen was fortified early on. The first walls date from 1578. The city has been besieged no fewer than 22 times in its history. Part of the city wall and casemates can still be seen from the fortifications with eleven bastions and four city gates. You can also admire the classicist town hall from 1782, with its 33-meter-high belfry with 49 bells. It is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Menen you will also find a German military cemetery with more than 40,000 war dead from WWI. Dadizele is an important pilgrimage site. The Basilica of Our Lady of Dadizele dates from the late 19th century. In Dadizele you will find a large British military cemetery with fallen soldiers from the First World War.