Dunes near Raversijde

This anchorage extends over the beach, the dunes between Middelkerke and Raversijde (Ostend), followed by the provincial domain of Prince Karel. The southern boundary is formed by campsites and buildings. The beach has coastal defense structures (breakwaters) at regular intervals. The beach ends at a dike on which the Royal Road runs between Middelkerke and Mariakerke. In the area lies a part of the buried fishing settlement Walraversijde, which was abandoned due to repeated flooding and its use as a place for troops during the siege of Ostend (1601-1604). Behind it are the current, fairly high sea ridge dunes that no longer have direct contact with the beach. They are more or less fixed by vegetation of thorn bushes, grasses, and lime-loving vegetation. Close to the provincial domain is an open-air museum about the Atlantic Wall, with several authentic bunkers, batteries, trenches, etc., from World War II nearby. The dunes are bounded by the Graaf Jansdijk in the south. This dike dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and was built to connect separate dikes and raise existing dikes as resistance against numerous storm surges. The domain belonged to Prince Karel, who lived there since 1950. A museum about Prince Karel is now housed in the residence. The area south of the dunes is a park area with ponds.

Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen