Oostkerke Village from the Castle
From Oostkerke Castle you can best see how impressive Oostkerke's Saint Quinten's Church is! It makes the whitewashed cottages of the village seem even smaller.
In the 12th century Oostkerke was a large parish, so much so that 8 'assistant' churches were created in surrounding villages. This was a time when Bruges and many villages in the area were prosperous and had harbours, but in the 14th century the "Zwin" started silting up so traffic to the harbours became impossible.
In the heyday of Oostkerke there were several mills, now there is one operational windmill left.
These days Oostkerke has circa 600 inhabitants. I believe the church is so big because of the prosperous past of this now quiet village.
Oostkerke is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Flanders.
Oostkerke Village from the Castle
From Oostkerke Castle you can best see how impressive Oostkerke's Saint Quinten's Church is! It makes the whitewashed cottages of the village seem even smaller.
In the 12th century Oostkerke was a large parish, so much so that 8 'assistant' churches were created in surrounding villages. This was a time when Bruges and many villages in the area were prosperous and had harbours, but in the 14th century the "Zwin" started silting up so traffic to the harbours became impossible.
In the heyday of Oostkerke there were several mills, now there is one operational windmill left.
These days Oostkerke has circa 600 inhabitants. I believe the church is so big because of the prosperous past of this now quiet village.
Oostkerke is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Flanders.