MAIN MARKET SQUARE
Grote Markt

Until 1704 the city’s old market halls and belfry, the plan of which is drawn out in the cobblestones of the parking area, were situated in the centre of the Market Square. To the east you’ll find the gothic, 16th century stepped gable of the convent of the Grey Franciscan Sisters; to the south the City Hall in Louis XV style and the new wing (1925), inspired on the city’s Medieval market halls with belfry. Over the stepped gables of the commercial premises to the West side the sturdy Saint Michael’s tower stands guard, chiming its carillon tones over the busy city centre every 15 minutes.

THE CITY HALL
Stadhuis

To the south of the Market Square

The ‘Old City Hall’ in Louis XV style is a splendid example of 18th century architecture and more than worth a visit. It was built in 1769-1771. High up the gable’s fronton shines the coat of arms of Charles Theodor (1721-1799), duke of Neuburg, elector of Bavaria and Lord of Wijnendaele Estate and the city of Roeselare. Downstairs in the ‘Aldermen’s Hall’ you will see the portrait gallery with paintings of the mayors of Roeselare from 1830 till the present day. On the first floor you’ll find the councillors’ chamber as well as the conference room. The former has been renovated and redecorated in Louis XV style.

There you’ll be able to admire painted portraits of famous historic figures related to Roeselare. In the hall there are a few statues and a lot of paintings by local artists, next to the ingenious restored 17th century tapestry ‘King Solomon’s wise judgement’.

The wall of the conference room has been painted with a reconstruction of a 17th century map of the city. An other one shows a historic scene, picturing the opening of the annual fair in 1552.

NATIONAL CYCLING MUSEUM
Nationaal Wielermuseum
15 Polenplein

Is housed in the former fire station with its typical Flemish-style façade (1903). The museum offers an overview of the bicycle from its early beginnings to the present day, pays attention to the matching accessories and sheds light on professional bicycles, children’s bikes and racing bikes.

MINOR SEMINARY
Klein Seminarie
25 Zuidstraat

In 1634 the Austin Friars from Ghent settled down at Roeselare, where they built a chapel, a monastery and a school. Between 1725 and 1735 the Baroque Augustinian Church was built at Zuidstraat. The façade’s fronton surmounts the coat of arms of Johann-Wilhelm (1658-1716), Duke of Neuburg and Lord of Roeselare and the statue of ‘Our Lady of Consolation’ by Karel Dupont.

Ever since the Napoleontic times the episcopal Minor Seminary has been housed there. It became renowned in the 19th century thanks to three West Flemish leaders of the Flemish Movement: Guido Gezelle (in the lane you’ll see a bust by Jules Lagae), Hugo Verriest and Albrecht Rodenbach. It was here that in 1876 ‘De Groote Storinghe’ (= The Big Uproar) took place, a students’ revolution, which brought about the ‘Blauwvoeterie’ movement all over Flanders (‘De Blauwvoet’ memorial (1980) can be seen at the ‘historic’ playground).

SAINT MICHAEL’S CHURCH
Sint-Michielskerk
St.- Michielsplein (= Saint Michael’s Square)

The oldest traces date back to the Middle Ages; up to 1872 this remained the only parish church in Roeselare. In 1488 a fire in the city badly destroyed the church. By order of Philip of Kleef (1456-1529), Lord of Roeselare, the church was rebuilt between 1497 and 1504 in late Gothic style. The monumental tower dates from 1504 and was originally a steeple. In January 1735 the spire was blown down and was replaced by a bell-shaped roof.

Inside the church you will find some interesting works of art; the Baroque pulpit (17th century) depicts the scriptural story of the vineyard of Nabot. There are some remarkable woodcarvings and sculptures, among others paintings of Jacob van Oost, Jan Janssens, Otto Venius, the Van Dijck school, Bernard Mioen, Désiré Mergaert and Ferdinand Callebert. The church has one of the biggest organs in West Flanders and in the tower hangs the city’s carillon with 49 bells.

STATUE OF PEEGIE
Standbeeld van Peegie
Botermarkt

Created by Jef Claerhout.

Unveiled in September 1982, it depicts Peegie trying to sell his last box of shoe polish, while he still has another two hidden in his trouser pockets. The text on the foot of the statue itself is characteristic of the roguishness and commercial spirit of the people from Roeselare.

At popular occasions they dress the statue up in a suit through the intermediary of The Guild of the Mates of Peegie.

OLD MUNICIPAL CEMETERY
Oude Stedelijke Begraafplaats
Blekerijstraat

It will strike you with its remarkable lanes and the rare trees that were planted there.

You’ll also find the memorial ‘for all Roeselare soldiers killed in action’ (Karel Dupont) from ‘the grateful city of Roeselare to its liberators, October 1918’ (152nd French Infantry Regiment) as well as the sepulchre of the Deported and Work Refusers.

There graves of French soldiers (1914-1918), of the British killed in action (1914-1918 and 1940-1945) and of anyone from Roeselare killed in the war, both soldiers and civilians.

Apart from that, one can take a rest near the mausoleums of Albrecht Rodenbach (1888, by Jules Lagae), Roger Fieuw, literary man (1960), Karel Dubois, founder of the Catholic Action (1956), Willem Denys, creator of ‘Peegie’ (1983) and the Campo Sancto for the Great Names from Roeselare: Joseph Algar, Delafortrie Fransiscus, Johan Destoop-Hobsen, Henri Heldenbergh, Rodenbach-Delahouttre and his son Albrecht, Alexander Rodenbach and Oscar Rodenbach-Rodenbach.

CHAPEL AND CONVENT OF OUR LADY OF ANGELS ‘ARME KLAREN’ SISTERS
Kapel en Klooster der Zuster Arme Klaren "Maria der Engelen"
Arme Klarenstraat

The convent was built in 1867-1869 and the chapel in Neo-Gothic style between 1870 and 1873.

The interior has been completely restored .

MEMORIAL PLAQUE OF THE HOUSES WHERE THE POET ALBRECHT RODENBACH (1856-1880) was born (Albrecht Rodenbachstraat) and died (Noordstraat)
Gedenkbord aan geboorte en sterfthuis van Albrecht Rodenbach

Albrecht Rodenbach was the founder of the ‘Blauwvoeterie’ movement and author of various poems, works of prose and plays and he also was the Flemish Students’ Leader. He is called the ‘Wonderknape van Vlaanderen’ (= Flemish Miracle Lad).

STATUE OF ALBRECHT RODENBACH
Standbeeld van Albrecht Rodenbach
De Coninckplein

A sculpture by Jules Lagae, unveiled in 1909 at a three-day Flemish Festival.

SAINT AMAND’S CHURCH
Sint-Amandskerk
De Coninckplein

A Neo-Romanesque building (1869-1872) by architect Schadde. The church has a white-stone pulpit by Karel Dupont and modern stained windows.

Saint Livinus is Especially worshipped here.

There are 4 bells in the 45-metre-high steeple.

STATION SQUARE
Stationsplein

Including the railway station (1979), the Jules Lagae Memorial (1962) and the nice fountain with ‘Playing Children’ by I. Goddeeris. The Station Square is one of the entertainment centres in Roeselare. Several bars, discothèques, cinema halls, pubs and snack bars are inviting you in.

MUNICIPAL ALFONS BLOMME MUSEUM
Alfons Blomme Museum
84 Ooststraat

Exhibition hall named after Alfons Blomme (1889-1979), a Roeselare painter and winner of the Rome Award (1920).

TER POSTERIE – ALBRECHT RODENBACHCENTRE
Albrecht Rodenbachcentrum
35 Ooststraat

Originally this was the post office. It was built in 1902 in Neo-Gothic style, after a design of architect Jules Coomans.

Ter Posterie is now host of the Tourist and Information Office.

CHURCH AND MONESTARY OF THE REDEMPTORIST FATHERS
Kerk en Klooster der Pater Remptoristen
Delaerestraat

Dates from the second half of the 19th century. Well worth a visit are the mural paintings by Arno Brys, characteristic of the time they were made (about 1956). In this church they especially worship Our Lady of Everlasting Help and Saint Anthony of Padua.

HARBOUR OF ROESELARE
Roeselaarse Haven

Situated on the Roeselare-Leie Canal it was constructed in 1862-1870. The first ship moored in January 1872. Roeselare is one of the most important inland harbours in our country. On the banks of the old harbour basin you’ll mainly find companies that produce cattle-fodder or that process cement or food, whereas at the new ‘Haven’ (= Harbour) Industrial Estate there are commercial premises for potting-soil, cement-stone processing and distribution beside various other businesses.

The harbour head is accessible to ships of 600 tonnes, whereas the more recent industrial estate can be reached by ships of 1,350 tonnes and the latter also has direct access to the European network of roads via the A17 exit.

SAINT PETER AND PAUL’S CHURCH
Sint Petrus en Pauluskerk
Kerkplein – Rumbeke

The steeple of the original church was demolished by dynamite in 1918, causing destruction to part of the church’s nave. It was rebuilt in 1924 after the Ypres fashion. The showpiece inside the church is the sepulchre of Jacob de Thiennes (died in 1534), Lord of Rumbeke, and of his wife Katharina of Oignies (died 1545). Apart from that there is a Romanesque white-stone font (12th century approximately), an oak sculptured bench to take Holy Communion (1734), a pulpit (1630) and a few small paintings.

Saint Blasius is worshipped here around his saint’s day (February 3rd), when the children are remembered with the special Saint Blasius Blessing.

KAZAND MILL
Kazand Molen
Mandellaan – Rumbeke

Was built in 1813 on the same spot where in 1773 a wooden oil-extraction mill had been erected.
In 1944 the mill became a listed building and following the fire in November 1954 it was completely restored.

BAILIFF’S RESIDENCE
Baljuwhuis
Hoogstraat – Rumbeke

Was built in 1617 by order of Pieter Goudenhoofd, bailiff of Rumbeke. Typical are the entrance gate and the Renaissance chimney.

STATUE OF ALEXANDER RODENBACH
Standbeeld van Alexander Rodenbach
Mgr. De Haernestraat – Rumbeke

Alexander Rodenbach (The Blind) (1786-1869) was an MP (1831-1869) and Mayor of Rumbeke (1844-1869); in 1830 he was a member of the National Congress. He devoted himself to the construction of the canal linking Roeselare to the river Leie and also to the right to use the Flemish language.

RUMBEKE CASTLE
Kasteel van Rumbeke
Moorseelsesteenweg – Rumbeke

This architectural piece of Flemish Renaissance was built around 1538 by the then Lord Thomas de Thiennes and his wife Margaretha d’Harméricourt. The chapel, the peculiar spherically crowned hexagonal tower, the central L-shaped section and the two lopped off turrets facing north all remind us of this architectural period. The four turrets built into the façade to the south date from the 17th century. The heavy entrance pavilions, which form the east and west gates, date from 1731. Until 1856 the castle used to belong to the de Thiennes family. Afterwards the castle including the adjoining STERREBOS – laid out in 1770 – was the property of the de Limburg-Stirum family and since 1987 it has been privately owned.

SAINT MARTIN’S CHURCH
Sint-Martinuskerk
Oekensestraat – Oekene

A few gravestones have been preserved around the church at the old cemetery. Saint Cornelius is served here against children’s diseases and cattle-plague, but more in particular it is Our Lady of the Scapulary who’s worshipped here.

On the wall in the porch you can see an ashlar foundation stone (‘Jan van Moerkerke and his wife Margriet’) from 1489. Apart from the 17th century statuette of Our Lady of Karmel, the Van Peteghem organ (1773) also deserves your attention.

The church itself has a typically rural style and dates from the 17th century. The calling stone was put back at the church door.

CHURCH OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
Kerk van de Kruisverheffing
St.-Germanusplein – Beveren

Here a remarkable Procession Cross made of Doornik wrought iron (13th century) has been preserved. In this church, the tower section of which still dates from the 16th century, you can come and admire the visual presentation of the various legends involving the Miraculous Cross. Also they especially worship Saint Donatius and Saint Anthony Abbot here.

EXHIBITION HALLS – FAIRS
Expo Roeselare
Diksmuidesteenweg

The city of Roeselare has a large exhibition hall that can be used for annual fairs, exhibitions or congresses. All the necessary facilities like cafeteria, etc. are available.