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Oudenaarde Beguinage

Oudenaarde Beguinage

Highlight • Historical Site

Oudenaarde Beguinage

Recommended by 54 hikers out of 55

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Oudenaarde Beguinage

4.6

(80)

303

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1. Treinstapper from Ronse to Oudenaarde

20.3km

05:26

220m

250m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.5

(15)

137

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2. Donkmeer – Saint Walburga's Church loop from Pamele

8.87km

02:15

20m

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

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Moderate

4.6

(26)

132

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3. Tour of Flanders Centre – View of the Flemish Ardennes loop from Oudenaarde

16.4km

04:20

140m

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

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Moderate

Tips

Annelies A. A. Vanbelle

November 5, 2025

A hidden gem in the heart of Oudenaarde, this serene Beguinage. The red-painted gatehouse bears the image of the plague saint, Saint Roch. Behind the gate awaits a tranquil world of whitewashed houses (some dating back to the 17th century) and a neo-Gothic chapel. Time seems to stand still here: perfect for a short break during your walk. Let the peace and simplicity of this place sink in.

Translated by Google •

VISITFLANDERS

June 4, 2024

Oudenaarde, pearl of the Flemish Ardennes. Home of the Koppenberg and the Center Tour of Flanders. But did you know that Oudenaarde also has a beguinage? Walk through the stately gate, flanked by the plague saint, Saint Roch, and discover the white-painted 17th-century houses. In this oasis of peace you can enjoy the attractive courtyard gardens full of plants and flowers. You can visit the beguinage freely during the day.

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Willem VS

December 6, 2020

Beguines in Oudenaarde
Originally, the beguines stayed behind the Sint-Walburgakerk. In the 15th century they were housed at the present site. In the past, the beguinage was completely surrounded by water. Striking is the colorful baroque gate with the image of Saint Rochus, a plague saint. Most small white houses were rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries; only a few date from the 17th century. The last beguine died in 1960.

iconoclasts
During the second phase of the iconoclasm from August 20 to August 27, 1566, the 16th-century chapel was destroyed by the iconoclasts but later rebuilt. The oldest building dates from 1500 and was the residence of the rector, Mr Van de Velde, who was thrown into the Scheldt by the beggars and drowned.

Current destination
Since 2004, the houses have been systematically converted into service flats for pensioners by the non-profit association Begijnhof Oudenaarde.[1]

No UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site
The 26 Flemish beguinages are highly exceptional and bear witness to universal value; they were therefore proposed in October 1998 to be included in the list of monuments of the World Heritage.

The following beguinages were proposed in the province of East Flanders: Aalst, Dendermonde, Ghent (Groot and Klein Begijnhof, and Sint-Amandsberg) and Oudenaarde. Thirteen Flemish beguinages of this list were eventually included on 02/12/1998.
These beguinages were presented to the UNESCO ICOMOS Committee and inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List because they are representative examples of the group of beguinages: five of the urban type (a), four of the square type (b) and four of the mixed type (c). In the province of East Flanders: Dendermonde (b), Ghent Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ter Hoye (c), Sint-Amandsberg (a).
See UNESCO World Heritage List.
nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begijnhof_Oudenaarde

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Elevation 20 m

Weather

Monday 15 December

13°C

8°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Oudenaarde Beguinage

1. Treinstapper from Ronse to Oudenaarde

2. Donkmeer – Saint Walburga's Church loop from Pamele

3. Tour of Flanders Centre – View of the Flemish Ardennes loop from Oudenaarde

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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