Frankish settlement 9.0km

Walking route: Along a Frankish settlement, blacksmiths, and an exceptional cemetery

Walk along 'slow roads' through parts of the district of Sint-Gillis (9 km).

Start: Sint-Lutgardiskerk Lutterzele, Spoorwegstraat 202.

https://www.toerismedendermonde.be/download.ashx?id=1151

This slow roads walk takes you past historical and interesting spots in the district of Sint-Gillis-Bij-Dendermonde.

The route is not signposted. You can only follow the course with a map and text (this route guide). All interesting spots and buildings are explained with photos and text.

The route is freely accessible to everyone year-round. Less suitable for wheelchair users and strollers.

Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, from around 1530 to 1800 known as Sint-Gillis-Zwijveke, was initially called Sueveka, which we find mentioned for the first time in 1223. The first inhabited

place was the Boonwijk where a church was built on a rise. In 1933, an important Merovingian burial site was discovered nearby.

Due to the remote location of the Lutterzele district in relation to Sint-Gillis center, this district gained its own parish church with a parish center dedicated to Saint Lutgardis in 1971. It was built with bricks from the demolished chapel of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul in Berlare. The stained glass windows were also recaptured. This church, originally considered a provisional church, became the definitive parish church of Lutterzele due to its success.

Wind farm on the Hoogveld, The 'Wind Plan Flemish Region' cataloged the industrial area Hoogveld as very suitable for building wind turbines. For its establishment, Electrabel made an agreement with the company De Saedeleir on whose premises they are located. The turbines are far enough from residential areas. The 2 wind turbines produce energy for 30 to 40% of the total annual energy consumption of De Saedeleir.

When Emperor Joseph II imposed the ban on burying within churches and within the city walls, a joint cemetery for Dendermonde and Sint-Gillis was established here in 1784. It was named 'new cemetery outside the Brussels gate at Sint-Gillis'. The cemetery is rectangular and walled and is one of the oldest in our country. In 1935, an expansion occurred. The oldest part is located in the north-west corner, left of the main entrance. In Dendermonde, the Our Lady parish opened its own cemetery outside the Ghent Gate in 1884.

Five generations of blacksmiths have worked in Torrestraat. The last blacksmith, Alfons Leo Verheyden, donated his anvil to the Michem-Verheyden family. They placed it in their front yard. The artist blacksmith G. Segi additionally created a sculpture composed of pieces of old tools. (no. 12)

It is a modern construction made of metal. In the forge work, we see an anvil, a hammer, etc. Saint Eligius is located in a cylinder whose front is made of transparent material. The chapel is embedded in a hedge.

Happy walking, Emiel Peeters