Summary
This industrial city in West Flanders underwent significant revival during the 19th century with the establishment of the Roeselare-Leie Canal. In subsequent decades, Roeselare earned the moniker “the Manchester of Belgium,” marked by a port along the canal that remains lively with activity.
In 1875, a young Albrecht Rodenbach, who would later gain prominence as a poet, led a protest advocating for the use of Dutch in educational settings at the city’s Klein Seminarie (minor seminary). This movement catalyzed the Flemish Groote Stooringe student revolt, representing a pivotal development in the “Dutchization” of Flemish secondary education.
The brewery named after Rodenbach is renowned for its barrel-aged sour beers and is a must-visit for enthusiasts. Furthermore, the city center features a UNESCO-listed belfry, an innovative cycling museum, and one of the region’s premier shopping streets, Ooststraat.
1. KOERS. Museum van de Wielersport
Flanders has always held a prominent position in the cycling realm, with Roeselare at its forefront; it was the birthplace of Belgium’s first Tour de France champion, Odile Defraye (1888-1965), who achieved victory in 1912. KOERS, inaugurated in 1998 within the ornate former fire station on Polenplein, chronicles the history of competitive cycling alongside the bike’s evolution.
The museum showcases how racing bike designs have been refined over the years and traces the bicycle’s journey through the 18th and 19th centuries, featuring balance bikes, vélocipèdes, and penny-farthings.
One exhibit highlights the four world champions from Roeselare, with a poignant tribute to Jean-Pierre Monseré, who tragically passed away at the young age of 22 while holding the world championship title.
Following a four-year renovation, the attraction reopened in 2018, complete with a tourism center, bike shop, library, and facilities for long-distance cyclists, including showers and e-bike charging stations.
2. Rodenbach Brewery
Approaching its bicentennial, Rodenbach has garnered high esteem within beer enthusiast circles. The brewery specializes in a Vlaams rood bruin (Flemish red-brown) beer, which matures post-fermentation in large oak barrels for varying durations.
The oldest barrels date back to 1872. The mature beer is subsequently blended with younger beer, exemplified by Rodenbach’s flagship Grand Cru, which exhibits a 67% to 33% combination of aged and fresh brews, resulting in an aroma akin to wine and a light, refreshing tartness.
The existing brewery complex hails from the 1860s and 70s, and public tours commenced in 2001. These tours span two hours from Saturday to Thursday, elaborating on Rodenbach’s distinctive brewing methods and providing samples of the Grand Cru and Rodenbach Original.
3. Sint-Michielskerk
The majority of Roeselare was devastated by fire in 1488, leading to the reconstruction of the city’s only church during the early 16th century in a Late Gothic architectural style. Today, the 65-meter tower stands as one of Roeselare’s most recognizable features, adorned with a Baroque dome and lantern following damage sustained in the 1730s.
The tower comprises 12 stories and houses 75 bells and two carillons. In a secluded section at the rear of the nave lies the prominent monument of Sint-Michielskerk: a recumbent tomb meticulously carved in 1504 for Jan van Kleef and his wife Johanna van Lichtervelde.
Visitors should also appreciate the Baroque pulpit and a splendid assortment of paintings by esteemed Flemish artists, including Ferdinand Callebert and Bernad Mioen.
4. Stadhuis
The tower overlooking the south side of Roeselare’s Grote Markt is among the 56 structures in Belgium and northern France included in one UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interestingly, this tower, erected only in 1924, emerges from the Louis XV-style city hall completed in 1771. Guided tours are available for those interested in viewing the interior.
Inside, the portraits of all mayors of Roeselare from 1830 to the present are displayed, and the Gemeenteraadzaal (municipal council room) retains its authentic Louis XV decor, while the conference room features a painting depicting the city’s layout as it was in the 17th century.
5. Rumbeke Castle
This castle on the outskirts of Roeselare represents one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture in Belgium. Rumbeke Castle, with its distinct Flemish Renaissance design, dates back to 1538 but is situated on land that has been occupied for centuries.
Legend suggests that Baldwin Iron Arm, the first Margrave of Flanders in the 9th century, kidnapped the daughter of Carolingian King Charles the Bald, Judith, from Senlis and brought her to a fortress at this site. The castle remains a stunning sight, encircled by a moat, featuring a brasserie on the terrace by the water and an excellent playground for children.
6. Sterrebos
The 27-hectare estate surrounding the castle is also worthy of exploration, known for its mature forest and a layout originating in the 1770s. During this time, the entire estate was re-landscaped, incorporating a network of alleys that converge at a single focal point.
This design inspired the name Sterrebos (star forest), drawing influence from the renowned Prater Park in Vienna. Visitors can traverse these paths, surrounded by beautiful beech and oak trees, as well as meadows blooming with wildflowers during early summer. Within the castle grounds stands a monumental plane tree, aged over 200 years. In winter, one might spot the elusive long-eared owl gracefully navigating the castle’s moat.
7. Ooststraat
Linking the Grote Markt with Roeselare’s station square, Ooststraat is among the leading shopping streets in West Flanders. Additionally, it ranks among the oldest streets in the city, increasing in prominence following the establishment of the railway in the mid-19th century.
Every ground floor in school runs a shop or dining establishment, while the east end has been pedestrianized for shoppers. The remainder of the street accommodates one-way traffic and broad pavements for enhanced accessibility. Alongside renowned brands including Zara, H&M, Women’s Secret, C&A, Springfield, and Jack & Jones, one can appreciate the exquisite Eclectic and Art Nouveau architectural styles. Notably, the old post office (1903) at No. 35 has been repurposed into a cultural center.
8. Grote Markt
The square situated to the north of the Stadhuis serves as a vital gathering place within the old city, characterized by a vibrant atmosphere with various bars, restaurants, cafes, and ice cream parlors encircling it. An intriguing detail about the Grote Markt is the historic 13th-century cloth hall and original belfry, which collapsed in 1704. The footprint of this structure is now marked within the square’s paving following excavations in the 20th century.
Having escaped significant damage during the First World War, the Grote Markt features a diverse architectural spectrum, predominantly Neoclassical from the late 19th century and Art Deco from the 1920s.
9. Roeselare–Leie Canal
This artificial waterway, excavated through the Mandel Valley over a decade from 1862 to 1872, extends 16.5 kilometers in length. The Roeselare–Leie Canal continues to serve an industrial purpose, supporting Roeselare’s thriving inland port.
Particularly noteworthy are the animal feed manufacturers like Debaillie and Hendrix, alongside the impressive grain silos adorned with ultra-realistic murals that have emerged in recent years. Away from the port, the canal’s towpath offers a pleasant route for enjoying the serene countryside of the Mandel Valley, whether by bike or on foot. One of the most picturesque locations is Ingelmunster, where the canal flows through the Mandelhoek nature reserve and skirts the wooded estate of Ingelmunster Castle.
10. Stadswandeling (City Walking Tour)
Exploring Roeselare reveals its dynamic nature, making it easy to overlook unique shops, attractions, or art pieces without a knowledgeable guide. The tourist office provides a regularly updated walking tour that includes a variety of pop-up shops and transient attractions.
Available for only €2, the tour encompasses museums, cultural heritage, cafes, restaurants, and much more.
11. Michels Filmmuseum
In the realm of private museums, Michels Filmmuseum stands out as a tribute to the cinematic arts. Here, Michiel Remaut showcases a vast array of nearly 1,500 projectors and cameras amassed over decades, representing the technical evolution of 20th-century cinema.
This collection is meticulously arranged in a well-lit space, complemented by informative descriptions. The museum also features a 60-seat auditorium, where visitors can appreciate the sound of a mechanical projector, contrasting with the silent digital projectors prevalent in contemporary cinemas.
Michels Filmmuseum is situated at Gladiolenstraat 15, and prior arrangements via phone are required to visit.
12. ARhus
An intriguing architectural addition to Roeselare is ARhus, a sleek glass-clad building located slightly north of the Grote Markt. Established in 2014, ARhus serves primarily as a library while functioning as a knowledge and learning center. As a public amenity, it is worth exploring; visitors can ascend to a terrace that boasts arguably the finest view of Roeselare’s skyline.
On the first floor is the ARhus Café, open seven days a week, offering various dining options. In early 2020, the menu included enticing dishes such as veal steak saltimbocca and pan-fried walleye with parsnip purée and horseradish sauce.
13. Eperon d’Or
Strictly speaking, this industrial museum is located in Izegem, though it is merely a ten-minute journey from Roeselare. Eperon d’Or occupies a refined Art Deco shoe factory established in 1930. The Vandommele company, which owned the factory, has its origins in 1863 and relocated to this site in 1909. Vandommele was known for its high-end market segment and produced many of its shoes by hand; even when the factory ceased operations in 1968, only a fraction of its range was produced by machines.
This museum, inaugurated in 2017, chronicles the history of Izegem’s shoe and brush industries, dating back to the early 19th century. The most distinguished pieces in the collection originate from the roaring 1920s and 30s, when Izegem’s luxury women’s shoe sector reached its zenith.
14. Bierkasteel Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck
In 2016, the Van Honsebrouck Brewery, established as far back as 1900, relocated to its new purpose-built headquarters, known as the Bierkasteel (Beer Castle). Van Honsebrouck produces a wide variety of beers, including tripels, blondes, dark brews (donker), a selection of fruit-infused lambics, as well as unique aged brews and blends with liqueurs.
The newly established brewery features a splendid visitor center, where knowledgeable guides provide a comprehensive 90-minute tour behind the scenes. This experience includes extensive multimedia presentations and an audio guide available in five languages.
Visitors will have the opportunity to sample two of Van Honsebrouck’s specialty beers and will receive a 75cl bottle of specialty beer to take home.
15. Oude Stedelijke Begraafplaats
This urban cemetery is frequently referred to as the parkbegraafplaats (park cemetery) due to its rich landscaping and monuments. Established in 1806, it serves as the final resting place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including civilians, fallen Belgian, French, and British soldiers of the First World War, as well as priests and monks.
Each section of the cemetery features informative boards. One notable burial monument from the First World War is that of French soldier Ferdinand le Hétet, who voluntarily remained in Roeselare in October 1914 to facilitate the withdrawal of his fellow soldiers. His tomb, rich with symbolism, is designed like a ruined pillar, complete with a helmet, gun, laurel wreath, and whitewash.
Among the most prestigious civilian interments is that of the Flemish poet Albrecht Rodenbach (1856-1880), a key figure in the 19th-century Flemish movement and revival of Flemish literature.
