The best walks and hikes around Pittem

https://www.pittem.be/upload/documents/ferdinand-verbiest.pdf https://diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/beleid/beleidsthemas/uitgelicht/hulde-aan-ferdinand-verbiest-vriend-van-de-chinese-keizer On 9 October 1623 – exactly 4 centuries ago – Ferdinand Verbiest was born in Pittem. As a diligent student of exact sciences such as geometry and astronomy, he cherished a dream: to join the Jesuits to become a missionary in South America. But his destination ultimately became the mysterious China. After a heroic boat trip of one and a half years, he arrived safely in Macao, a Portuguese trading post on the Chinese coast at the time.

The story of Tanneke Sconynckx was recently beautifully described by Frederic Vermeulen, one of the distant descendants of the woman tortured to death for witchcraft. His book "The Witch of Gottem" provides a special insight into a piece of gruesome history. The Radio 1 program "Voorproevers" devoted a broadcast to the book, which can be listened to here (or via Spotify): https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/podcasts/radio-1/v/voorproevers/3/wat-als-je-afstamt-van-een--heks---het-verhaal-van-tanneke-scony/

Neo-Gothic chapel of the "Bataviawijk" dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. Although probably older, the construction is registered by the land registry in 1955. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/86792

Pittem honors his son: Ferdinand Verbiest sj (Chinese name: 南怀仁 Nán Huáirén, Pittem, October 9, 1623 – Beijing, January 28, 1688) was a Jesuit, missionary and astronomer. He built an instrumentarium for the Old Observatory in Beijing, which is still there. The current instruments mainly date from his time. Verbiest was partly responsible for the change of the Chinese calendar, a change that was based on his astronomical observations. He designed light cannons for the army of Emperor K'ang-si, to whom he also gave lessons in mathematics. He designed the first steam car, a small steam car intended as a toy, and a thermometer. And he drew another world map. He also worked as a diplomat and translator thanks to his extensive knowledge of languages. For example, he was at the disposal of the emperor as an interpreter during negotiations with Portuguese and Russian ambassadors. Verbiest wrote more than thirty books and was fluent in Latin, Hebrew, German, Spanish, Dutch and Italian. He also studied the Manchu language, into which he translated the first six books of Euclid of Alexandria. He died on 28 January 1688 as a result of a fall from his horse and was given a state funeral. The emperor paid for the mausoleum in which he was buried in the Jesuit cemetery of Zhalan. Source: Wikipedia

The parish of Our Lady was probably founded in the 9th century. There was supposed to have been a wooden church, but it was not until around 1100 that a stone, Romanesque church was built. The tower of this church has been preserved and, contrary to earlier estimates, it was built in the first half of the 12th century. Around 1580, the church, which had been further expanded into a three-aisled basilica church, was destroyed during the religious wars. Between 1622 and 1642, the church was completely restored. In 1676, the church received a relic of Saint Godelieve of Gistel, and in 1757 a group of statues of Saint Godelieve with the executioners was made by Pieter Van Walleghem. In 1909-1910, the church was expanded on the west side. The tower was classified in 1906. In 1914 a neo-Gothic main choir was built. Around 1913 a procession was added around the church, concerning Sint-Godelieve. Source: Wikipedia

In 2011, a buffer basin was constructed that is divided into four basins. Three basins are located here between Koolskampstraat and Egemstraat and one a little further away, at the corner of Egemstraat-Baertstraat. The buffer basin was constructed to prevent flooding; this by temporarily holding the rainwater and then discharging it in a delayed manner into the Breemeersbeek. In addition to its water management function, the buffer basin also has a recreational and ecological function. A Finnish track of 1030 m was constructed around it, where hikers can also enjoy a beautiful piece of nature. Police regulations were drawn up to prevent nuisance. Source: https://www.pittem.be/nl/wonen/waterbeheer/bufferbekken

In 1902, a chapel built by the heirs of the de Mûelenaere family, one of the most important families in 19th-century Pittem, in gratitude for the healing of a sick child. This influential family provided, among others, Joannes de Mûelenaere, mayor from 1820 to 1842 and was also represented in national politics. The chapel may be dedicated to the Sacred Heart, but the series of statues in the chapel could cause some confusion: above the statue of the Sacred Heart, you will find crucifixes and several statues of Our Lady (with Child). Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/211272

Work by local artist Djoels, commissioned by transport company Dedeygere. Although Djoels often works 'on commission', this work is rather an exception in her oeuvre, which normally contains almost exclusively people, animals and landscapes, due to the subject.