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Duvetorre (Sint-Laurentiustoren Ruin)

Duvetorre (Sint-Laurentiustoren Ruin)

Highlight • Historical Site

Duvetorre (Sint-Laurentiustoren Ruin)

Name: Duvetorre (Sint-Laurentiustoren Ruin)
Rating: 2

Recommended by 24 hikers

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Location: Nieuwpoort, Veurne, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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3. Ganzepoot Sluice Complex – Belfry of Nieuwpoort loop from Nieuwpoort

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Tips

Viviane

July 6, 2025

The Duvetorre, or Saint Lawrence Tower, is one of the oldest buildings in Nieuwpoort and is the ruin of the medieval Saint Lawrence Church, probably built in 1281. In 1383, the church was largely destroyed during an English siege. What remained was transformed into a fortified moated castle in 1384. Around 1400, Philip the Bold had the building further expanded into a castle. In the 16th century, it served as a military quarters for the Spanish troops.

During the Dutch period (1816–1822), the remaining church walls were demolished, the tower shortened and transformed into a five-storey gunpowder tower. In the First World War, the Allies used the tower as a lookout post, but heavy shelling caused severe damage and left the tower in ruins.

The building is popularly known as the ‘Duvetorre’, after the story that Jeanne Panne, the alleged witch of Nieuwpoort, had encounters with the devil there. On the opposite side of the site, a work of art refers to her legend.

Translated by Google •

DirkWi

November 11, 2024

Duvetorre or Sint-Laurentiustoren is considered one of the oldest buildings in Nieuwpoort. The tower ruin is a remnant of the medieval Sint-Laurentius church.
The Sint-Laurentius church was probably built in 1281. Barely a century later, in the year 1383, English troops besieged Nieuwpoort. The church was destroyed. What remained standing was converted into a fortified moated castle in 1384. Philip the Bold turned it into a castle from 1400 onwards. In the 16th century it became a military quarter for the Spanish.
During the Dutch period (1816-1822) the old church walls were demolished, the tower was lowered by a third and the masonry became a sturdy five-storey gunpowder tower.
During the First World War, the Allies used the centuries-old tower as a lookout post. Enemy bombardments caused the large-scale destruction and gave the ruin its current form.
The tower is popularly called ‘Duvetorre’. This refers to Jeanne Panne, the witch of Nieuwpoort, who is said to have had appointments with the devil there. On the other side of the Duvetorre site, the artwork Jeanne Panne is a reminder of this story.
nieuwpoort.be/ruine-duvetorre

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Elevation 50 m

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Wednesday 26 November

8°C

4°C

100 %

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Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Location: Nieuwpoort, Veurne, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Duvetorre (Sint-Laurentiustoren Ruin)

1. Nieuwpoort Belfry – IJzer Estuary Nature Reserve loop from Nieuwpoort-Bad

2. Sint-Laureins Dunes – Ganzepoot Sluice Complex loop from Westende

3. Ganzepoot Sluice Complex – Belfry of Nieuwpoort loop from Nieuwpoort

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