The best cycling routes around Deinze

Ghent is a vibrant city that perfectly combines history and modernity. Besides ancient monuments that exude medieval charm, contemporary art galleries and hip cafés await your visit. Ghent is definitely a city for travellers interested in Belgian culture who also want to relax on holiday. In the Middle Ages, the Flemish city was considered one of the most important, wealthiest, and largest metropolises in Europe, after Paris. Through the burgeoning textile trade, sheep farming, and its good location at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, Ghent developed into a respected city that still exudes its medieval charm through its historic old town. A castle with a moat, a cathedral, the belfry, and three beguinages – all these sights in the city's historic quarter tell the stories of Ghent's impressive medieval past. Source: https://www.ab-in-den-urlaub.de/magazin/reisetipps/gent/

Since the 14th century, grain has been traded on the Korenmarkt on Fridays. Formerly called "Koornaard". The current streetscape is dominated by the west facade of St. Nicholas' Church, while on the other side is the monumental facade with a bell tower of the post office building. In addition, on both sides there are houses of roughly the same size but with different facade types, varying between the 13th and 20th centuries. The Korenmarkt belongs to the second medieval city, the western expansion outside the oldest medieval Portus or trading settlement. This expansion began in the mid-10th century as a result of population growth. In the course of this expansion, the land was parceled out, the parish of Sint-Niklaas was founded, and trading activities were started. The Korenmarkt was first mentioned in 1208 under the name forum segeta (literally grain market). https://www.gent-geprent.com/straten-van-gent/straten-a-m/straten-k-1/korenmarkt/korenmarkt-algemeen

Over the centuries, the people of Ghent remain true to their reputation as stubborn rebels. They even rise up against their own prince, Emperor Charles V. However, this goes one step too far: the people of Ghent are publicly humiliated, and the Roland Bell – a symbol of Ghent's independence – is removed from the Belfry. The once powerful city-state is brought to its knees, both figuratively and literally. Economically, things also gradually worsen. The city loses its access to the sea, and the population halves. It is only in the second half of the 18th century that an economic upswing occurs. Under Dutch leadership, Ghent gets its own university in 1816. As a reminder of this, a statue of King William I, founder of the university, was erected on De Reep. Ten years later, the city becomes a seaport again with the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Source: https://visit.gent.be/de/wissenswertes/praktische-auskuenfte/warum-gent/gent-im-laufe-der-jahrhunderte

The history of Ghent begins in the year 630, when Saint Amandus decides to build an abbey at the confluence (or 'Ganda') of the rivers Leie and Scheldt. Almost 1400 years of history are still omnipresent in the city today: a medieval castle in a moat, an imposing cathedral, a belfry, three beguinages,… You will not find such a high density of history per square meter anywhere else as in the historic district of Ghent! From 1000 to approx. 1550, Ghent was one of the most important cities in Europe. Ghent was larger than London and only had Paris 'above' it. The 60,000 inhabitants the city had in the 14th century vehemently defended their rights: the counts and princes had to experience firsthand that the proud and rebellious Ghent citizen does not give up his acquired privileges and freedoms without a fight. Until the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, the city was ruled by a few wealthy merchant families. As they generally preferred the French king to the Count of Flanders, they were given the derogatory nickname 'Leliaerts' by the people, derived from the lily (NL: lelie) on the French coat of arms. In the course of the increasing political power of the craftsmen and guilds in the 14th century, Ghent gained a more democratic leadership. As England blocked the import of raw materials for the vital textile industry, Ghent, during the Hundred Years' War (out of necessity), sided with England (1338-1345). The wealthy cloth merchant Jacob van Artevelde led the resistance against Count Louis of Nevers, a vassal of the French king. In 1345, the 'wise man' was murdered by his fellow citizens. His great significance is evident from the fact that Ghent is still referred to as 'Artevelde City' today. Ghent had to give up its alliance with England and recognize the King of France. In 1407, the seat of the Council of Flanders, the highest judicial body of the county, moved from Bruges to the Count's Castle. Dutch became the lingua franca. Source: https://visit.gent.be/de/wissenswertes/praktische-auskuenfte/warum-gent/gent-im-laufe-der-jahrhunderte

The Bathioveer is a foot and cycle ferry that you operate entirely yourself and that connects the banks of the Leie. It offers a fun moment of diversion during your bike ride or walk.

Beautiful place, where, pedestrians, cyclists, cars and teams share the roads and there is no drama.

Very popular route out of the city, in a safe and efficient way!

Check the ferry schedule in advance: - During May, June, July, August, and September, and the Easter holidays: 7 days a week - from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM (or until sunset on shorter days of the year). - From October to April (excluding the Easter holidays) only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: same hours as above. The landing stage for one of these ferries is located along Dijkweg in Afsnee, near the St. John the Baptist Church on the right bank. A crossing is definitely worth the effort, as not only the Afsnee church but also the rectory and the village itself are protected gems. Further on, towards Sint-Denijs-Westrem and Sint-Martens-Latem, there are numerous hiking and cycling opportunities.