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Title: Oostende Tourist Information
Author: Meredith Booney
Article:
Originally a small fishing village, the city of Oostende
received its city charter in the 13th century and now has a
population of 91,000 people, the largest population on the
Belgian coast. Set half way along the 40 mile Belgian coastline,
it became popular as a resort in the 19th century, when Kings
Leopold I and II spent their summers there. During World War II
the city was badly bombed.
The city is protected from the North Sea by a series of large
dikes built in the late 14th century. However, the city often
fell victim to invading armies. Its importance as a harbour rose
in the 18th and 19th centuries, and a railway link to Brussels
was built in 1838. In 1846 it became a transit harbour to
England, sending its first ferry boat to Dover. Today, hundreds
of passengers travel between Oostende and England in a space of
just two hours, which makes it a good weekend resort for British
travellers.
Named 'The Queen of the Belgian sea-side Resorts, Oostende
boasts a long and sandy beach and is a popular beach resort for
locals as well as visitors to Belgium, many of whom come to surf
and sail. The old town and fishing harbour are popular
attractions, and Oostende has much to offer in the way of
shopping, eating and entertainment.
Places of interest:
The twin-towered church of St Peter & Saint Paul, close to the
railway station, is a neo-gothic building built of sandstone in
1904-5. It houses the mausoleum of Queen Louise-Marie, Belgium's
first Queen, who died in 1850 in Oostende.
The 'Fort Napoleon', north of the city centre, is the only
Napoleonic fortress still intact in the whole of Europe. Built
by Napoleon during the French occupation in 1810 and completed
in 1812, it housed 260 soldiers. In the Second World War it was
used as a German barracks.
Between Oostende and Middelkerke, near the beach, lies a large
group of dunes known as the 'Raversijde Domain', which is a
natural nature reserve. Here also is the 'Atlantikwall', a
complex of tunnels and bunkers built by occupying German troops
in the First and Second World Wars. Nearby is also an
archaeological site of a medieval fishing village from 13th to
15th centuries.
For garden lovers, the Japanese Garden in the Koningspark is
worth a visit and can be found opposite the swimming baths, near
the sea wall.
Things to do:
A walk along the splendidly clean and unspoilt beach, with a
swim or paddle in the sea, is one of Oostende's pleasantest
activities, but there are plenty of further activities in the
centre and close to Oostende.
Oostende has several shopping centres, including the
traffic-free Kappellestraat, Adolf Buylstraat and Witte
Nonnestraat. Also, at the Alfons Pieterslaan and the
Torhoutsesteenweg you can shop all year round. Market day in
Oostende is on Thursdays on the Wapenplein, Groentemarkt and
Mijnplein.
For those interested in history and culture, Oostende has
several museums and galleries to visit. The Museum of Local
History holds collections from the Neolithic and Roman times, a
maritime section and sections on the two world wars. The Museum
of Fine Arts holds works from the Belgian Masters, and at the
Museum of Modern Art you can see a wide range of paintings,
sculptures and objects from Belgium's recent history. Other
places are the Museum Sint-Pieterstoren, the Museum of Religious
Arts, the North Sea Aquarium and the Schooner Mercator which is
a former Merchant Navy training ship now restored as a nautical
museum. James Ensor House is where the famous impressionist
painter lived.
One of the most popular places for families with children is the
Maria Hendrika Park. Here you will find minigolf, rowing and
pedal boats, playgrounds and woodland walks. Refreshments are
available at the café.
You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour around the city,
where you will be shown the interesting sights of the city.
Food & Drink:
Whatever kind of food or restaurant you are looking for you are
likely to find it here. Oostende has plenty of restaurants,
cafes, bars and taverns both within its lively city centre, and
along the promenade. Wherever you go, you will find kiosks
selling mussels, fresh fish restaurants, and the ice cream is
not to be missed.
There are several bars selling real ale, including the Café
Botteltje and the Ostens Bierhuus. Oostende also has a selection
of English style pubs.
One of the most popular restaurants in the city is the James
Tavern in James Ensor Galerij 34, off Vlaanderenstraat. In its
friendly atmosphere, you can sample a wide range of local
cuisine, including their specialty, garnaalkroketten, or shrimp
croquettes.
Of course, Oostende's best-loved food is fresh fish, and you do
not have to look too far to find a wide choice of places
specialising in seafood. One of the best fish restaurants is the
Old Fisher on the Fisherman's Wharf. This has a relaxed but
elegant atmosphere where you can sample a wide range of local
fresh fish dishes. Another fish restaurant is the David Dewaele,
a family-run restaurant serving French cuisine and fish fresh
from the North Sea.
Hotels & Accommodation
Alpha Hotel Hotel Ter Kade Royal Astrid Hotel Princess Hotel
Burlington Ambassadeur Entertainment:
If you are seeking the local nightlife, the first place to head
for is Langestraat where you will find cabarets, night clubs and
bars, as well as the famous Kursaal Oostende, one of the largest
casinos in Europe. The casino contains gaming rooms, a concert
hall where you can regularly hear concerts, operettas and
ballet, disco, rooftop restaurant and gaming rooms.
Many of the bars and pubs offer live performances, including
jazz, blues or contemporary music. There are English pubs, at
least one Irish pub, and, of course, good strong beer.
Between May and September is the racing season and anyone
interested in the sport must take a trip to Wellington
Racecourse.
Every year in the first week in March, Oostende holds a carnival
with a different theme each time and in October there is the
annual fun-fair.
About the author:
Meredith Booney is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years
of experience writing for travel journals, newspapers and
magazines. Website: <a
href="http://www.belgiumcities.info">http://www.belgiumcities.inf
o</a>
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