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town hall in Beernem was built in the beginning
of the 19th century in neo-gothic style. It was renovated
and expanded during the beginning of the 21st century.
In the town hall, you can admire the beautiful neo-gothic
hall, formerly used as a council chamber. Above the
wooden panelling, you can feast your eyes on painted
images, narrating Beernem’s history. These images
were painted with oil paint by one of the daughter’s
of former mayor knight Etienne de Vrière. |
The
renovated town hall in Beernem |
Scene
from Beernem’s history |
Scene from Beernem’s history:
‘De
Witte Kaproenen’’ from Ghent attack The
Canal diggers from Bruges.
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 The
town hall in Oedelem was built as a Magistrates’
House for the Lords of Praet. It was renovated in 1752.
It houses a beautiful council chamber with a monumental
fireplace. Pieter Coppée designed the front door
of the council chamber in 1762. There is also an old
ballot box to be seen, it was last used in 1909. In
those days, Oedelem was the capital of a militia canton.
Men from Oedelem, Sint-Joris, Sijsele, Sint-Kruis and
Assebroek, who were eligible for military service had
to come here for the ballot.
Nowadays, the town hall houses the Tourist office.
In front of the town hall, lies the market place where
a weekly butter market took place up until the ‘50s.
The kiosk in the middle of the market place actually
camouflages a bunker from WWI.
Exhibitions
in the Tourist Office.
If you are interested in the history of our town, you
can visit an exhibition in the Tourist Office. The theme
of the exhibition changes regularly so there is always
something new to be seen. |
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Church of Sint-Joris was built in 1837 in the
style of Louis Philippe. Inside the church, you can
admire a Van Peteghem organ that dates back to 1787.
The church has a lovely interior, it is furnished with
among others a pulpit and a confessional made in 1839.
For centuries, this church has been a pilgrimage for
people who have skin diseases. The showpiece of the
church is a polychrome statue of Sint-Joris made in
the 15th century. In those days, it was a custom to
portray a patron saint as Philip I. Philip I was a Habsburg
ruler and the Count of Flanders between 1495 and 1506.
The thistles sculpted at the foot of the dragon, endorse
the theory that this statue was made especially for
this church. |
Sint-Joris-ten-distel |
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The
Saint-Lambertus church in Oedelem was built
between 1629 and 1630; the tower was constructed in
1663. The church was built on the remains of a Romanic
cruciform church; you can still see parts of the original
stonewall behind the choir. During its existence,
the church was destroyed, rebuilt and extended several
times. The panelling by Pieter Coppée is the
oldest feature of the interior. Pieter Coppée
was a furniture maker who lived in Oedelem. The cloister
and the baptismal font were constructed in 1836.
The greatest possession of this church is the vestment
of Saint-Lambertus from 1531, but only the cross on
the chasuble is still original. Other interesting
objects are copes from the 18th and 19th century,
several obits of noble families and stained glass
windows decorated with family arms. Artist and resident
Jef Claerhout constructed the current tabernacle. |
The
Saint-Amandus church in Beernem.
The original Romanic Saint-Lamburtus church was built
in 1100; however, there is nothing left of this construction.
The current church was built in 1900. The oldest object
in the church is a baptismal font, donated by Israël
Jansens, Englishman and the Surpreme Master of the
Suydtleye. He was responsible for the Canal diggers.
The cemetery surrounding the church has some interesting
sepulchral monuments. There is the restored burial-chapel
of former mayor knight de Vrière, and other
sepulchral monuments. Opposite the church lies the
walled in parochial presbytery, built in the 19th
century. |
The
Saint-Amandus church in Beernem |
Masses in the churches in
Beernem:
Saturday:
4 pm: Saint-Petruschurch, Oostveld.
5 pm: Saint- Amanduschurch, Beernem
6 pm: Saint-Jorischurch, Sint-Joris
Sunday:
9 am: Holy Mary Mother of God church, Beernem
10 am: Saint-Lambertuschurch, Oedelem
11 am: Saint-Amanduschurch, Beernem
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Castles
During
the 19th century, Beernem was a very popular place to
have a countryseat. During this time, several castles
were built. You can discover these castles, going on
one of the biking trails, or when going for a walk.
Castle Driekoningen was built in the beginning of the
19th century in typical Empire style. The stones used
for this castle were those of the Saint-Donaas cathedral
of Bruges, which was demolished in 1799 under French
reign.
Castle Reigerlo was built in mid 19th century, it is
better known by its nickname the Castle of Madrid. This
castle was abandoned for many years, but has been in
use since its renovation.
Castle Bloemendale was built in 1878 in neo-gothic style.
The famous architect Delacenserie designed the castle.
Former mayor Etienne de Vrière inhabited the
castle, after his death the Family Sap bought the property.
The last well known inhabitant was Baroness André
Vlérick.
Castle Hulstloo was constructed in 1761; it used to
be a countryseat. Nowadays, it is known as the estate
Di Coylde and houses a gourmet restaurant.
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 Castle
Bulskampveld lies in the provincial domain of the
same name. It was constructed at the end on the 19th
century. It’s currently being restored. The
basement of the Castle will be an educational centre
for nature and the environment. The ground level will
house a visitor’s centre where you can learn
all about the history of the Woodland. The opening
of this centre is expected in the fall of 2005. Castle
Bulskampveld is the only accessible castle in Beernem.
. Castle
Bulskampveld
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Castle
Ten Torre |
Castle
Ten Torre, located in Oedelem, was built around 1845
on the remains of a former hunting-pavilion. It was
fully renewed in 1895, giving it its current look:
an impressive castle, located in the middle of a park.
Castle Wapenaer was built around 1800; originally,
it was a manorial estate. In the beginning of the
20th century, it was fully renewed. The castle lies
in the middle of a lovely park.
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| Castle
Sint-Joris-ten-Distel (de Lanier) was built around
1745 after the demolition of a medieval castle. In
1876, the Castle was fully renovated, giving it its
current look. The Castle is located in the centre
of a vast park and is connected to the village centre
of Sint-Joris. |
In
Beernem, there are several 18th century farmsteads,
such as the farmstead van de Bogaerde. From here on,
the Lindeveld was cultivated. In 1807, pioneer Amandus
Werrebrouck received the medal of la Société
Départementale d’Agriculture de la Seine
for his tireless work and cultivation technique.
Another interesting sight is the farmstead Reigerlo,
previously the farmstead of Castle Reigerlo. When the
last farmer there retired, the farmstead was restored
and used as a home.
Hoeve Groot Kerkegoed, in the Halvemaanstraat, was property
of the Church of Ruiselede during the Ancien Regime.
Groot Kerkegoed is a wonderful example of an untouched
farmstead.
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 Oedelem
has always been an agricultural municipality. This
is why you can find so many lovely farmsteads in the
area.
Farmstead Ter Leyden ( Ten Torre)
is the most beautiful and best preserved farmstead
in Oedelem. It was constructed during the 17th century.
The adjoining shed is even older. The moat has been
beautifully preserved.
Farmstead Wulfsberge is a preserved monument; it was
built on the foundations of a 13th century castle.
The cellars with their impressive vaults date back
to the 15th century. It is here that the Bishop of
Doornik started his journey to “define”
the surrounding religious communities. The Court of
the Magdalenen has remained untouched ever since the
17th century. During the 13th century, the hospices
of Bruges owned the farmstead. In the 18th century,
it was one of the largest farmsteads in Oedelem.
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