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Saint Martin's Church

Saint Martin's Church

Highlight • Religious Site

Saint Martin's Church

Recommended by 32 hikers out of 33

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Location: Zottegem, Aalst, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to Saint Martin's Church

4.6

(95)

365

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1. Jan De Lichte Trail – Jan de Lichte Walking Trail loop from Zottegem

11.4km

02:59

90m

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

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Moderate

4.6

(33)

195

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2. Jan de Lichtpad Wetland – Jan de Lichte Walking Trail loop from Velzeke-Ruddershove

9.46km

02:30

90m

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

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Moderate

4.6

(64)

256

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3. Jan de Lichte Walking Trail – Jan de Lichtpad Wetland loop from Roborst

7.23km

01:53

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

Dominiek Van Dooren

October 14, 2025

This is an important church whose origins date back to the pre-Romanesque period. It was donated to the Abbey of Saint-Vanne in Verdun in 963 and to the Abbey of Hasnon, near Valenciennes, in 1065. In 1581, it was set on fire by plundering Malcontents, mutinous troops of the States-General fighting against the Spanish. Residents who fled inside were also burned to death or murdered as they emerged. The large church roof was reportedly lowered later, due to a lack of funds, after another fire in 1728.

Like many old churches, this one was given Saint Martin (Martin of Tours) as its patron saint. His image as a horseman sharing his cloak with a beggar at the gates of Amiens is carved near the entrance gate. The image is again in the left aisle and finally, as a fresco in the choir. Later (16th century), he faced competition from Saint Oncomena, who stands on the right side altar. The statue of Saint Oncomena with a beard on a cross (from 1646) was saved from the fire of 1728.

Excavations in and around the church suggest that the first church building was constructed here as early as the 9th century. The successive construction phases lead to this result: a Gothic west tower (13th century), a Gothic three-aisled nave of four bays (13th century, 15th century), a higher Romanesque choir (11th century, 12th century), a southern sacristy from the 18th century with a 17th-century substructure, and a southern storage room (early 19th century). The walls contain a wide variety of building materials, including Roman roof tiles.
(Open Churches)

Translated by Google •

DirkWi

September 3, 2023

The history of the church dates back to the 10th century!
Be sure to check out the side altars and the confessionals.

A brochure is available in the church (€1) with detailed information about the church.

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JakobusPilger

October 21, 2025

The sculpture on the facade of the church itself makes it clear to whom this church has been entrusted as its patron: Saint Martin, seen here on horseback, cutting through his cloak with his sword to give half to the beggar kneeling below. Inside the church itself, there is another sculpture depicting the famous scene, this time painted in color.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 100 m

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Thursday 11 December

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Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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Location: Zottegem, Aalst, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Saint Martin's Church

1. Jan De Lichte Trail – Jan de Lichte Walking Trail loop from Zottegem

2. Jan de Lichtpad Wetland – Jan de Lichte Walking Trail loop from Velzeke-Ruddershove

3. Jan de Lichte Walking Trail – Jan de Lichtpad Wetland loop from Roborst

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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