Sint-Winoksbergen - heritage and fortifications

A loop-shaped walk in Bergues (Sint-Winoksbergen), partly through the town and partly along the fortifications.

We start at the Place de la République, which has recently been renovated. On one side stands the Belfry, originally built as a city gate. In 1944, the German engineers blew up the tower. The new Belfry with carillon could also be climbed. On the other side of the market stands the classic Town Hall. We walk towards Groenberg, where once one of the most important Benedictine abbeys stood. On the site, only a gatehouse, a massive crossing tower of the medieval abbey church, and a pointed octagonal tower from 1825 remain. Through the park (and the cafeteria), we walk towards the outer side of the ramparts. The impressive fortifications that surround the entire old town date from various periods.
At the Porte d'Hondschoote, we head towards the old quays, once the harbor of Sint-Winoksbergen. We cross the bridge over the Colme and pass the old slaughterhouse, from the Marché aux Fromages to the Marché aux Poissons. Over the arch bridge, we return to the city center. We come across beautiful facades from the 18th and 19th centuries and take the road on the right to the station to take a look at an old city gate, the Porte de Bierne. We walk back to the Saint-Martin church, which was also rebuilt after World War II. Nearby lies a military cistern. Opposite the church stands a beautiful Renaissance building, the Mont de Piété. The pawnbroker’s office is now set up as a city museum.

Manual Routing