FLEMISH MASTERS IN SITU
Experience our Flemish Masters where they’re truly at home.
Van Eyck and Rubens. Surrealists and expressionists. Old and contemporary Masters. Here in Flanders is where they all lived, worked and found their inspiration. Many of their masterpieces are on display in a truly unique location –the original place where the masters created those very works and where you too can spend some time in their shoes. Welcome to the Master Tours.
MASTER TOUR KORTRIJK
Kortrijk
Guldensporencollege, campus Kaai
Guldensporencollege Campus Plein
Koningin Astridpark
Kanaal Bossuit-Ko
Buda Beach
MASTER TOUR KORTRIJK
During this Master Tour, discover how Kortrijk’s past and present reinforce each other to form a cocktail that’s bubbling with creativity! Be enchanted by the masterpieces in the Church of Our Lady and St Martin’s Church. Stroll through the medieval city centre towards Abby, the new fine arts museum. A historic gem and modern-day metropolis, Kortrijk combines the best of both worlds.
SINT-MAARTENSKERKSTRAAT KORTRIJK
St Martin’s Church, which was built between 1390 and 1466, is a gem of Gothic architecture with a rich interior that houses numerous art treasures. Another eye-catcher can also be found in a higher realm by climbing the 246 steps leading up the 83-metre-high tower. At the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Kortrijk.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Triptych of the Holy Spirit’ by Bernard de Rijckere
DEKEN ZEGERPLEIN 1 KORTRIJK
This medieval jewel is one of the city’s oldest monuments. Baudouin IX, Count of Flanders, laid the first stone in the year 1199. Once inside, you will be astounded when you see the works by Anthony van Dyck. Any time left? Be sure to step inside the Counts’ Chapel, the mausoleum of Louis of Male, the last Count of Flanders.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Raising of the Cross’ by Anthony van Dyck
This new, quirky visual arts museum is tucked away inside Beguinage Park in the historic heart of Kortrijk. The staff at the museum will be thrilled to welcome you to one of their high-profile exhibitions, innovative collection presentations or one of the wide range of activities, from artistic workshops to playful sleepovers.
DISCOVER HERE:
• ‘The Kneeling Youth’ by George Minne
hours
© Visit Kortrijk
© Visit Kortrijk
ST MARTIN'S CHURCH
CHURCH OF OUR LADY
THE MORE INSPIRATION, THE MORE FASCINATING YOUR MASTER TOUR
GROTE MARKT 54 KORTRIJK
The highlight of the Grote Markt is the belfry from 1307, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of this bell tower, you will enjoy a magnificent view. The Town Hall is also worth a selfie, both on the outside – with 14 statues of all the counts of Flanders – and on the inside, which includes the beautiful Schepenzaal (Aldermen’s Hall) and Council Chamber.
Do you enjoy taking a step back in time? If so, you can do just that in the medieval Beguinage, which dates back to 1238 and is beautifully preserved. This oasis of calm is truly unique because it combines both a square beguinage and a street beguinage.
BROELKAAI KORTRIJK
At the medieval Broel Towers, you’ll be able to take the most iconic snapshots of Kortrijk. The south tower – also called ‘Speytorre’ or ‘Blue Tower’ – was erected in 1385 to inspect river traffic on the Lys. The north tower – or ‘Inghelburghtorre’ – was put up 30 years later and served as an armoury.
CHURCH
OF OUR
LADY DEKEN ZEGERPLEIN 1, KORTRIJK
The Battle of the Spurs in 1302 is etched into the collective memory of Flanders and the Church of Our Lady has dedicated an interactive experience centre to commemorate that historic event. Highly recommended if you want to know more about this battle which, at the time, even caused the Pope to be woken from his bed in the middle of the night.
AND THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL
THE BROEL TOWERS
CENTRE
BATTLE OF THE SPURS
THE GROTE MARKT
Cycle hire
Charging point for e-bikes
Cycle route with node
Kortrijk
At Texture, you will discover the compelling history of the flax industry. This industry, which is a testament to craftsmanship and innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and survival, has deep roots in the Lys region.
Want to learn more about this fascinating textile past while taking part in a bike tour? If so, jump on your bike and follow the Flanders’ Finest Flax Lys Route. This bike route starts in Kortrijk and runs along the banks of the river Lys.
The river Lys is actually synonymous with leisure time on the water. In Kortrijk, you can do (guided) stand-up paddle-boarding (with an instructor), kayaking and even Tank Rafting. You should definitely give tank rafting a go, as there’s nowhere else in Europe that you can take to the river in a metal tub.
Want to get away from the city and into nature? Very near Kortrijk, you’ll find the Land of Mortagne. The ideal location to get a bit of peace and a healthy dose of oxygen.
Halfway between Kortrijk and the Land of Mortagne, you’ll find the culinary hotspot Rebelle Here, the culinary ambassador Martijn Defauw and the sommelier Esteban Casteur pair delectable gastronomy with exceptional wines.
From Kortrijk, biking your way to the next Master Tour along the river Lys is easy. You will discover the art of painters of Latem at the following locations: the Gevaert-Minne Museum, the Gust De Smet Museum, at Villa Ter Ide, which is now the home of Martin Wallaert, or in the picturesque church of Sint-Martens-Latem.
Tank Rafting
of Mortagne
Peter De Wilde, VISITFLANDERS, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 61, 1000 Brussels