Munkenbrug

Before there was any bridge, there was a ferry service that crossed the Leie between Ooigem Castle and Munkenhof.
The original first Leie bridge on the border of Desselgem and Ooigem was built in 1872. On October 16, 1918, it was blown up by the Germans during WW1. It was rebuilt in 1922. However, in May 1940, during WW2, it was destroyed again, this time by the Belgian Engineers to stop the Germans. After WW2, it took until 1968 before the new bridge was repaired.
In 2022, on April 4, the completely new typical 100m long arch bridge with orthotropic road surface, Munkenbrug, was officially opened. This new bridge was built because the previous one was too low (also old and worn out) and 3 layers of container ships could not pass through. The total works took about a year and a half. The renovated modern bridge offers a safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians with a double cycle/pedestrian path on both sides safely separated from the road over the bridge. The evening/night lighting is beautiful.
The name Munkenbrug is an ode to the 'Munken'. The monks who lived in the Munkenhof or the Hof van de (Ghent) Sint-Pietersadbij of Desselgem for 10 centuries.