Top 20 Lakes around Zuienkerke

Beautiful cycle path along the canal.

From the lookout tower 'Het Rietnest' you have a beautiful view of the flat polders and the Zwaanhoek nature reserve. Furthermore, the area is only accessible during a guided walk (can be requested via Natuurpunt). The intention is not to disturb the breeding, roosting and wintering birds.

The Spuikom in Ostend/Bredene forms the southern border of the Vuurtorenwijk.

There are 2 zones that are used as oyster breeding parks.

The Ostend Spuikom was constructed from 1900, but the first experiments in 1912 immediately went wrong. The current turned out to be too strong and caused damage to the quay walls of the harbour. The Spuikom was destroyed in the First World War and was never restored afterwards. Today, the Spuikom has a recreational function more than ever. The gigantic water surface of 80 hectares (more than 120 football fields!) invites you to sail or surf. On the banks you can also fish with a permit and the area around the Spuikom is fantastic for jogging or cycling. During the winter months, the northern half of the Spuikom is a resting area for water birds: cormorants, grebes, little grebes and coots. In the spring, the islands in the northwestern part are used by, among other things, breeding terns. Marine scientific research is also carried out in the Spuikom. Finally, the water has been designated as 'shellfish water': there are two zones that are used

Today, the Spuikom has more of a recreational function than ever. The gigantic water surface of 80 hectares (more than 120 football fields!) invites you to sail or surf. You can also fish on the banks with a permit and it is fantastic to jog or cycle around the Spuikom. During the winter months, the northern half of the Spuikom is a resting area for water birds: cormorants, goldeneyes, little grebes, grebes and coots. In the spring, the islands in the northwestern part are used by, among other things, breeding terns. Marine scientific research is also conducted in the Spuikom. Finally, the water has been designated 'shellfish water': there are two zones that are used as 'breeding parks' for oysters.

The Reie (the river after which the canals were later named) and its tributaries probably remained untouched until around the 9th century. Nevertheless, it is suspected that small hydraulic engineering works were already carried out by the Romans in the 1st century. The largest amount of river water flowed into the city center in the south, where the Minnewater is located. This elongated lake probably originated in the 12th or 13th century as a kind of reservoir, due to the construction of the locks at the lock house. The name Minnewater could mean communal water. However, a number of linguists explain minne as a water spirit. The Reie was the most important watercourse in Bruges and its name evolved to refer to all city canals. The Reie is further identified with the current Waardammebeek, river stream and ring stream. The locks of the lock house allowed the Minnewater to be kept at a constant level. Their purpose, however, was mainly to regulate the water supply to the city center. There used to be three mills around the Minnewater: the stadvolmolen (1646), a water mill on the eastern bank (where the castle now stands); the fulling mill, a windmill on the fortress next to the Minnewaterbrug symmetrical with the Poertoren and the Kasteelmolen (presumably 13th century), a watermill at the confluence of the Bakkersreitje and the Katelijnevest. The wide Minnewater was probably used in the Middle Ages to keep the water mills running. From the 1620s, the Minnewater was used as a trading basin. When the Coupure was dug in 1752 to create a smoother connection between the Ghent and Ostend canals through the city, the Minnewater lost this function. Dredging boats that ensured regular transport between Bruges and Ghent had their mooring there until 1782. Immovable Heritage Inventory: Minnewater and surroundings, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/301976

Free-standing tower, built in 1398-1401 by Jan Van Oudenaarde; from the 15th century to the first quarter of the 20th century, gunpowder store, see name; in 1665 it was used as a fuller's mill for several years; cellars already used as ice cellars before 1785. Restored in 1989-1991 according to a design by architect A. Cottyn (Bruges). Immovable Heritage Inventory: Poertoren, https://id.erfgoed.net/erfgoedobjecten/200722