The Kaaihoeve

Important traces from the Gallo-Roman period were found in Zwalm. From Julius Caesar's Gallia Belgica we know that the area along this side of the Scheldt was populated by the Nervians. They controlled an important trade route that ran from Boulogne to Cologne. At that time, there were already a number of transshipment zones for goods along the Scheldt, as was also the case here.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Kaaihoeve was built on this site. However, due to the straightening and widening of the Scheldt in the 20th century, the old meanders were closed off from the river and De Kaaihoeve lost its transshipment function. In 1993, the building was repurposed as a nature education centre for the province of East Flanders. Thanks to the land development project of the Flemish Land Agency, this part of the Scheldt valley became a beautiful nature reserve.

Be sure to visit the Kaaihoeve and its nature garden.

Stad Oudenaarde