Summary
This medium-sized city, the capital of Belgium’s Waasland region, offers a wealth of attractions.
One notable feature is the largest market square in the country, which has a history spanning over 750 years and is spacious enough to accommodate hot air balloon launches during a festival held in September.
The 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator was born in close proximity to Sint-Niklaas, and visitors can explore his historical impact at a museum dedicated to preserving two of his invaluable globes.
Sint-Niklaas gained fame for its textile industry, which is reflected in the city museum being housed in a former weaving mill.
This textile sector surged during the interwar years, leading to the development of new neighborhoods designed by renowned Art Deco architects.
The city’s tourism office has established a self-guided Art Deco tour spanning almost five kilometers to facilitate exploration.
1. Sint-Nicolaaskerk
The oldest church in the city is situated slightly away from the eastern side of the expansive Grote Markt square.
This five-aisled church, featuring seven altars, has stood since the early 13th century and has undergone numerous modifications over the years.
Sint-Nicolaaskerk has persevered through challenging periods, including a fire in 1690 that damaged the roof and tower.
The current interior present a blend of Baroque and neo-Gothic styles, adorned with various artifacts and artworks.
Notable features include the Baroque pulpit from 1706 and numerous liturgical items dating from the 17th to the 19th century, including an exquisite monstrance from 1635. Additionally, the building houses a 3,000-pipe organ, which is the largest in Waasland and was installed in 1998.
2. Grote Markt
Belgium’s largest city square spans 3.19 hectares and has existed since the land was bequeathed by Margaret II, Countess of Flanders, in 1248. She mandated that this space would always serve “the common good.” In 1513, Emperor Maximilian I authorized a weekly market here, and in 1624, Margaret II’s grant was contravened when a section of the square was sold to resolve church debts.
The Grote Markt underwent renovations in 2005 through an award-winning initiative, and as of 2020, efforts were underway to reintegrate some greenery into the paved square.
In addition to the Stadhuis (City Hall), which will be discussed later, visitors can also see the 17th-century Ciperage, a former court and prison that now houses tourism department offices.
Another significant landmark is Het Landhuis, which features a 17th-century facade characterized by alternating bands of stone and brick and a striking curving gable.
On the south side of the square stands the sculpture Het Woord, created by Romanian-born artist Idel Ianchelevici, serving as a tribute to the Sint-Niklaas poet and priest Anton van Wilderode (1918-1998).
3. Mercatormuseum
The groundbreaking 16th-century cartographer and cosmographer, Gerardus Mercator, was born approximately ten kilometers southeast of Sint-Niklaas in Rupelmonde in 1512. Notably, Mercator introduced the term “atlas” within the context of cartography; his innovative cylindrical projection for the world map in 1569 has established an enduring standard for navigation.
The Mercatormuseum showcases 16th-century globes and atlases from Waasland’s royal archaeological collection.
The museum features two extraordinary globes created by Mercator himself, one depicting the earth (terrestrial) and the other illustrating the sky and space (celestial). These represent the only Mercator globes located in Belgium and were commissioned for a member of Emperor Charles V’s court.
The museum also offers a comprehensive timeline of mapmaking, tracing its evolution from the Babylonians through Ptolemy and the Romans, all the way to the 20th century.
4. De Witte Molen
This historic pre-industrial windmill was constructed on land belonging to the abbess of Roosenberg Abbey in 1696. Initially a flour mill, it later also produced rapeseed oil.
The structure was damaged by a storm in 1983 but has since been restored.
Currently, De Witte Molen operates as a functioning flour mill, managed by volunteers and open about every other Sunday afternoon.
Visitors can drop by for complimentary explanations and demonstrations on these occasions.
The miller’s residence features a café-restaurant, while additional amenities on the grounds include a skate park and a club for snooker and bridge enthusiasts.
5. Romain De Vidtspark
In the southern section of the historical center lies an expansive English park encircling the moated 16th-century Walburg Castle.
The castle now accommodates a bar-restaurant, complete with a terrace overlooking the moat.
On Tuesday evenings during July and August, this landmark hosts a series of summer concerts known as the “Parkies.” The park is named in honor of former post-war mayor Romain De Vidts (1890-1962) and features pathways that meander through the well-maintained lawns and lush woodlands.
Don’t miss the Kiosk, an ornate mid-19th-century bandstand that was originally positioned in the Grote Markt but relocated here to allow for the bus station.
6. Art Deco Architecture
The textile industry flourished in Sint-Niklaas during the interwar years, which is evidenced by the lavish Art Deco architecture commissioned during that period.
Entire new neighborhoods materialized in the 1920s and 1930s, and the most imaginative designers of the era were granted creative freedom.
To facilitate exploration, the Sint-Niklaas Tourism Office has mapped a 4.7-kilometer walking tour, and a map is available for €1. If there is one spot to prioritize, it should be the lobby of the Broederschool, constructed for the Hieronymites (a religious order) in 1932. This exquisite area is adorned with multicolored glass and textured marble, dominated by a stained glass representation of Christ the King by artist Eugeen Yours.
Although this building still serves as a secondary school, guided tours through the Tourism Office provide access to the impressive interior.
7. Stadhuis
Situated on Belgium’s largest market square, the striking Gothic Revival city hall commands attention on the western side.
The Stadhuis, inaugurated in 1878, follows the design of a traditional Flemish town hall, featuring a belfry that houses a 49-bell carillon.
This building continues to function as a civic center, having received two unobtrusive extensions in the 20th century.
The intricately molded facade, adorned with dormers, turrets, and elaborate window dressings, is particularly enchanting when illuminated after sunset.
Inside, a grand staircase leads to the wedding chamber, with colorful neo-Gothic murals that depict the city’s history adorning the walls.
8. Salons voor Schone Kunsten
This gallery, housing the city’s extensive art collection, offers a dual appeal.
Firstly, the collection itself is a thorough examination of art spanning from the 16th to the 20th century.
The highlight is the painting Nero by Peter Paul Rubens, among other significant works by Baroque masters like Willem Heda, Lambert Lombard, Sebastiaen Vrancx, and Joos de Momper.
The spacious salon presents paintings from various Belgian schools from the 20th century, alongside furniture and decorative arts, while the first floor is dedicated to artworks by artists originating from Waasland.
Moreover, the museum is located within a palatial eclectic townhouse commissioned in the late 1920s by textile industrialist Edmond Meert.
As of early 2020, the museum was scheduled to relocate to Huis Janssens on Zamanstraat later in the year.
9. Cycling
Flanders is a cyclist’s paradise, equipped with a vast network of paved paths interconnected by nodes or junctions, facilitating easy navigation.
Within Waasland, there exists an impressive 720 kilometers of cycling paths across a flat, green landscape, making it exceedingly accessible.
The tourism office in Sint-Niklaas has devised two designated routes: the Nobelroute (50 km), which ventures into the rural surroundings, and the Sint-Niklaas Erfgoed route that leads to various monuments scattered throughout Sint-Niklaas and its boroughs.
The scenic River Scheldt, a tidal waterway even 100 kilometers from its mouth, flows just 10 kilometers south of the city.
In 2019, the city introduced a new purchasable cycling map that guides you to approximately 40 local producers, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, chocolate, beer, and pastries from skilled bakers.
10. SteM Zwijgershoek
Focusing on the cultural history of Sint-Niklaas and the Waasland region, SteM Zwijgershoek occupies the site of a former weaving mill and dyeing house.
This museum distinguishes itself by allowing visitors access to its entire inventory, rather than merely what is displayed in the galleries, through a unique open depot.
The permanent collection is organized along three primary themes: “Mens en Materie” (Man and Material), “Mens en Machine” (Man and Machine), and “Mens en zijn Lichaam” (Man and his Body), each complemented by engaging artifacts and historical insights.
The museum also operates an active textile workshop, providing insight into the historical significance of the building and the region’s industrial heritage during the 19th and 20th centuries.
11. Wissekerke Castle
The present structure of this castle, located by the Scheldt, is predominantly Gothic, with major renovations occurring in the 19th and 20th centuries over a 15th-century foundation.
The site has a historical legacy that dates back even further, to around the 900s when fortifications were established along the Scheldt.
At one time, this castle served as residence for the affluent Vilain XIIII family.
Noteworthy is the castle’s suspension bridge, built in 1824, which is regarded as the oldest suspension bridge and the oldest cast iron structure in Europe.
Restored in the early 2010s, it has retained its elaborate 200-year-old decorations and details.
Wissekerke Castle is open for exploration on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (as well as Sundays during summer), allowing visitors to appreciate its luxurious Empire-style interiors and the 15th-century brick rib vaults in the basement.
Guided tours are available, one showcasing the lifestyle of the noble Vilain XIIII family and the other shedding light on the daily routines of their domestic staff.
12. Recreatiedomein De Ster
During a sunny summer day in Sint-Niklaas, individuals can retreat to this expansive 100-hectare recreation area located east of the city center.
The lake at Recreatiedomein De Ster is man-made, excavated for the construction of the A14 motorway in the 1960s.
The lake spans around 20 hectares and is well-suited for swimming and boating activities.
Along the shores, visitors can enjoy a beach, a swimming pool, lawns, and forested areas, alongside numerous amenities designed for public enjoyment.
Facilities include mini-golf, a large children’s playground, an inflatable aquapark, trampolines, a road train, a petting zoo, water slides, tennis courts, dining options, and more.
13. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Bijstand-der-Christenenkerk
This understated yet imposing church was constructed in an eclectic style, characterized by Byzantine, Romanesque Revival, and neo-Gothic elements, located at the northwest corner of Grote Markt.
The gilded statue of Madonna atop the 50-meter tower is visible from a distance, while up close, the facade made of grey Brabant limestone exhibits an austere appearance.
This exterior contrasts sharply with the splendid interior, where every surface glows with vibrant colors.
The 19th-century artist Godfried Guffens contributed numerous frescoes within, while the organ was crafted by esteemed Brussels organ-maker Pierre Schyven.
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk was finalized in 1848 after four years of construction and was designated a protected monument in 1973.
14. Waasland Shopping Center
For those unable to locate specific items along Stationstraat, Sint-Niklaas’ elongated and narrow shopping street, the expansive Waasland Shopping Center located south of the city center is a reliable alternative.
Initially opened in 1973, the Waasland Shopping Center underwent significant expansion in the 2000s, transforming it into the largest single-storey mall in the country, now hosting over 140 shops and services.
To name a few, notable retailers include Desigual, Casa, H&M, HEMA, Levi’s, Guess, Yves Rocher, and Zara.
The center also offers a wide variety of dining options, accommodating a range of preferences, whether one desires a quick sandwich (Panos, Delifrance), fast food (Burger King, Fritkot & Sbarro), or a full-service restaurant (Caro’s, Brasserie Entree, The Black Sheep, Brasserie The Comic, and more).
15. Vredesfeesten
The 1944 liberation of Sint-Niklaas is celebrated through the most elaborate festival of its kind in Belgium.
The three-day Vredesfeesten fully utilizes the open expanse of the Grote Markt, renowned for the dozens of hot-air balloons, varying in size and design, that are launched from the square.
Scheduled for the first weekend of September, this festival ranks among the five most significant balloon festivals globally, distinguished by its urban setting.
This event was initiated by former mayor Romain De Vidts following the Second World War and commences on Friday evening with a spectacular display of illuminated balloons lighting up the night sky.
There are two launches on both Saturday and Sunday, coupled with a fireworks display on Saturday night and a memorial mass on Sunday at Sint-Nicolaaskerk for those who lost their lives during the war.
The final day also features solemn processions at memorials and a vibrant fun run through the city center.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy six live music stages, markets, and a funfair with rides and games on Stationsplein.
