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Four stone pillars

Four stone pillars

Highlight • Monument

Four stone pillars

Recommended by 146 hikers out of 161

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Location: Knokke-Heist, Bruges, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Four stone pillars

4.5

(149)

1,134

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1. Zwin Route

12.1km

03:03

20m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.6

(68)

533

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2. View of Het Zwin – Zwinduinen en -polders loop from Oosthoek

8.57km

02:10

10m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.5

(59)

514

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3. Keunepad – View of the Zwin loop from Oosthoek

9.98km

02:31

10m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

VISITFLANDERS

September 8, 2021

Knokke-Heist is a real art city. On every corner you will find works made of stone, steel or synthetic resin, also here in the middle of nature. The four colossal blocks are by Ulrich Rückriem, who also worked on the Cologne Cathedral Building Works. The stones he carved from Austrian granite rocks weigh a total of 48 tons.

You can still see the traces of his work. Let your associations flow: Does the ensemble remind you of part of Stonehenge? Or to a portal? The special thing about this work: Even though everything is so raw, it seems perfect. This is probably because the proportions follow mathematical principles and the work of art fits into the surrounding nature.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

February 25, 2023

This work of art in granite represents the four vanished Zwinhavens, namely Knokke-Heist, Sluis, Damme and Bruges.

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

February 25, 2023

There are four granite posts at this location...
There is no explanation or information board on site.
Only a mention of the artist Ulrich Rückriem.
In my fantasy these granite poles, like a pole above water, symbolize the four vanished medieval Zwinhavens: Knokke-Heist, Sluis, Damme and Bruges.

Brief history: The beautiful landscape in the Zwin region looked completely different in the Middle Ages. Decisive was the wide Zwingeul with flourishing world ports along it. Because of this connection with the sea, Bruges and Flanders experienced 'Golden Ages'. These poles are located on a cycle route between Knokke-Heist, Sluis, Damme and Bruges. Come and discover this work of art and its landscape for yourself. Take a step back in time.

Tip: With some prior knowledge and the free cycling map, you can still see traces of this rich past in the landscape. Four outdoor (corona-proof) VR viewers along the route will help your imagination go a long way. 2 indoor VR viewers in the Viewing Center of the Zwin Nature Park let you experience the evolution of the Zwin channel like a bird in the sky (included in Zwin Nature Park entrance ticket).

Anyone who looks through a binoculars will virtually arrive from the current landscape in the bustling medieval harbor towns. You are in the middle of it and can look 360° around you. Still fun! Anyone who scans the QR code on the cycling map will receive notifications along the way. You can see archaeological finds in the landscape around you appear on your smartphone.

More info at brugseommeland.be/nl/fietsen/verdwenen-zwinhavens

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 50 m

Weather

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Monday 1 December

7°C

6°C

70 %

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Max wind speed: 30.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Knokke-Heist, Bruges, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Four stone pillars

1. Zwin Route

2. View of Het Zwin – Zwinduinen en -polders loop from Oosthoek

3. Keunepad – View of the Zwin loop from Oosthoek

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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