General summary of city:
Kortrijk, also referred to as Courtrai, is a historical city situated
in West Flanders in Belgium. Positioned on the Lys River, Kortrijk was
first established by the Romans under the name of Cortoriacum.
Possessing a population of over 70, 000 individuals, Kortrijk remains a
thriving city: one that is surrounded by many other famous locations,
tourist attractions, and popular cities in Belgium. The cities nearest
to Kortrijk include Halluin, Menen, Neuville-en-Ferrain, Roncq and
Wevelgem, and travellers staying in Kortrijk, will therefore find the
attractions in such cities easily accessible during their stay in
Belgium. Other popular cities nearby Kortrijk include Antwerp, Bruges,
Brussels, Ghent, Liège, Mechelen, Mons, Namur and Ostend.
Famed for its textile manufacturing, Kortrijk started producing both
lace and linen as early as the fourteenth century. Tourists will find
that Kortrijk is home to a number of spinning and finishing mills, and
the Battle of the Golden Spurs actually took place very nearby historic
Kortrijk, and the city has established a memorial for the battle in
1906 called the Groeningstraat, just east of the Grote Markt.
Places of interest:
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts in Kortrijk, also known as the
Stedelijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, is home to one of the finest art
galleries in Belgium. The museum holds the extraordinary paintings of
the sixteenth century painter, Roeland Savery, as well as the
extraordinary works of other painters; a number of archaeological
artifacts, ceramics, porcelain, pottery and, because the museum is
housed in a seventeenth century patrician house, travellers get the
opportunity to enjoy the astounding beauty of Renaissance architecture.
The museum is open Saturday through Thursday and is closed on Fridays
and special holidays.
Situated in the heart of Kortrijk, tourists will find the Grote Markt,
a popular Kortrijk tourist attraction. Within the Grote Markt, tourists
can see the World War I memorial, the ruins of the clothes hall, the
Grote Markt Belfry, first built in 1307. Additionally, the official
town hall of Kortrijk, the stadhuis was built around 1420, still
possesses some of its original Gothic architecture and travellers can
view the myriad craved statues throughout the building. Finally, if
tourists possess an affinity for architecture, while staying in
Kortrijk they can view the two large towers that form the Broeltorens:
fortification towers established in the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries.
Things to do:
Guests in Kortrijk can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the River Lys or
they can enjoy the many sites that a historic city like Kortrijk has to
offer. Typically tourists rave about the architecture in Kortrijk.
Visits can see the Menin Gate, established in 1927; a memorial for the
British soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and the Church of
Our Lady is just a stroll away from the Broeltowers, a short distance
from Grand Place. Outside the Church of Our Lady, the ruins of the
original castle that once enclosed the church still remain and the
church is the oldest building in the city of Kortrijk. Further, a
highlight found in the Church of Our Lady is that site seers can view
paintings of all the former rulers of Flanders. Meanwhile, buildings
like the Palace of Justice offer a striking contrast in terms of
architecture, giving the city of Kortrijk an equally modern appeal.
Food & Drink:
For those tourists looking to get a cultural taste of Belgium’s finest
foods, the most popular specialties ordered among dining tourists in
Belgium are Endives with Béchamel Sauce, Ardennes Sausages and ham,
Belgian Waffles, Mussels and chips, and of course, the favorite
traveling treats are Belgium chocolates. While visiting Belgium,
tourist may also want to try some of the world-famous beer that Belgium
offers: over 400 different brews of Belgium’s famous beer are
available, including fruit bear, Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegaarden, and
Duvel, among many.
The Café Rouge-Kortrijk requires no reservations in advance, and has
everything a hungry tourist desires. Further, the Café Rouge-Kortrijk
possesses ultra modern architecture, its décor is one of sophistication
and it is famed for its tea, served with a side of cake and chocolates.
Diners have the option of trying fondue, flavored potato chips, soups,
salads, waffles served with fresh fruit, and crème brulee, among other
fine dining options.
Alternatively, in nearby Wevelgem, tourists can dine at Biggles, a
restaurant revered for their fine service and friendly atmosphere, or
the La Dolce Vita, at Stationsstraat 10 near the railway station, an
Italian restaurant offering pizza and tagliatelli, among other fine
dishes. Finally, travellers can enjoy fine wine in almost any of the
cafes in Belgium, as many of the sites have a license to sell spirits.
Hotels & Accommodation:
* Center Hotel
* Bed & Breakfast Full House
* Kennedy Hotel
* Best Western Hotel Belfort
* Parkhotel
Entertainment:
The nightlife in Kortrijk offers much to
the traveler looking for adult fun and entertainment. Further, while
staying in Kortrijk, guests will have accesses to unlimited
recreational facilities. Nearby Brussels is home to ten theaters,
cinemas, discos, and entertaining clubs like the Le Fuse, Les Jeux
d'Hiver and The Music Village.
Kortrijk offers more than fine
accommodations, dining, as it offers easy accessibility to site seeing
adventures. For instance, while visiting the Castle’t Hoge, tourists
can bask in the beauty of the International Rose Garden. The Castle’t
Hoge demands no entry fee and families can spend the day enjoying the
scenic view. Travellers can also relax at any number of the cafes and
pubs located in the Grand Place, Kortrijk. Again, many of the pubs
offer the national drink of Belgium, beer, and there are over 400 fine
varieties to choose from.
All of the sites in Kortrijk are easily
accessible. Travellers can visit tourist attractions via rental cars or
they can travel by train to other major cities in Belgium. Meanwhile,
some tourists choose to cycle along the Lys River and to take in the
fresh air and gorgeous view. Essentially, no matter what form of
transportation tourists utilize, they will find an extraordinary
abundance of things to do, see and enjoy while staying in Kortrijk,
Belgium.
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