"Filips town" Roeselare by tompt

Roeselare Travel Guide: 106 reviews and 147 photos

November 2003, it finally was time we visited Roeselare. A town we have heard much about, but was very unknown to us.
Roeslare was not founded yet but nomads were in the area 35 000 years before Christ. Some tools of that time were found while excavating. Around 4500 - 0 people began to live in this area. They were building houses and doing agricultur. The oldest remains of pottery found in Roeselare dates back to 2000 before Christ. Until now they have not found remains of roman roads or other things from that period.

In 406 the Franks came over the river Rhine. Their king Clovis became a christian around 500, and christianity was spread by them throughtout the area. St. Amandskapel is said to be the first church in Roeselare. After the dead of emperor Charles the Great in 814 his son, Lodewijk , ruled the Frankisch Empire. He ruled from 814 to 840. From that time the first papers dated 29 june 821 or 25 june 822, named Roslar as an area. In 847 and 899 a 'villa' Rollare or Roslare is mentioned. When the Noorman attacked around 890 Count Boudewijn III gave permission to fortify the town. And the town was given market rights in 957.

Around 1250 Roeselare got his halle with belfort, a seal and town finances. The citizens got rights. The hall and Belfort stood at the Marketsquare. The oldest seal still here dates back to 1309. In 1152 the first schools were mentioned. Ofcourse they were christian schools.

new part of cityhall, St Michiels at background

The meaning of the name Roeselare is a much discussed topic.

It could have come from a Forester who got the town from his master.
Or "Roe" was the name of a god, the name of giant Rolarius, the legendary founder of the town, or it was from a "rosselaar", owner of a horsemill.

Later people recognised Rolla, head of the Noorman in "Roeselare". But that was contested because the Noorman came to destroy and not to create.

It could also have been the name of a german leader.

The youngest idea is that it means "humid, open, with reed covered place in the woods" (roes + laar) That is linguistic the most believable explanation too.

Filip at work on a bike

Roeselare is known for its cycling history. And that is where Filip comes in......
Filip (aka filipdebont) is a enthousiastic cyclist and surprise, surprise he lives in Roeselare.

That was a reason for us to visit this town that calls itself the centre of West Flanders.

Last visit to Roeselare: Nov 2003
Intro Updated Feb 28, 2005
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (24)

statue of Peegie Things to Do (14)

The statue is made by Jef Claerhout in 1976. It was placed on the Botermerkt in 1982. It is 'Peegie', trying to sell his... more travel advice

Filip and Gonnie almost entering... - Roeselare

a warm drink (or a beer), after a cold... Restaurants (4)

Convieniently located just when you leave the Sterrebos. After a walk in the cold weather it is great to relax here and... more travel advice

time for coffee and waffle Restaurants (4)

At the Grote Markt, in the centre of Roeselare you will find several places to have a drink or a bite to eat. Filip took... more travel advice

a la carte Restaurants (4)

Petrouska is a very popular restaurant. If you want to go here in the weekend it is good advicce to make... more travel advice

Local Customs (2)
See All Rodenbach
Favorites (3)
See All city shield

Transportation (1)
Roeselare station
Been to Roeselare?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (3)

1 - 3 of 3

Comments (6)

Reply
- Report abuse
wandeljp May 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Leuk om iets te leren van iemand die van zover kom terwijl ik zo dicht woon. Juist een lichte correctie: Freddy Maertens heeft het museum in Roeselare verlaten voor deze van de Ronde van Vlaanderen in Oudenaarde
Reply
- Report abuse
Gentleman75 Aug 11, 2004 at 6:11 AM

A very informative page about Roeselare. Great photos and tips.
Reply
- Report abuse
Alice-Kees Jan 18, 2004 at 4:08 AM

Goede tips voor weer eens een ander weekend! Inspirerend....
Reply
- Report abuse
irisbe Jan 6, 2004 at 1:46 PM

I missed going to Roeselare in 2003 but I sur go in 2004! Lovely page and it seems you had a great time with your enjoyable host Filip `-) am not suprised!
Reply
- Report abuse
Mahieu Dec 28, 2003 at 11:43 AM

I lived for 23 years near Roeselare, very nice pages! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
- Report abuse
filipdebont Dec 25, 2003 at 1:53 AM

Orachtig, Tom en Gonnie, een mooie captatie van een heel, heel leuk weekend.