"More Views" Kortrijk Travelogue by filipdebont

The sturdy Broel towers situates along the Broel quay are the only remains of a Medieval (military) building. These big, but graceful towers are well preserved.

The two towers are called “Speytorre or blue tower – 1386) and the Inghelburghtorre – 1413)

These towers protect the bridge across the Leie River.
In the middle of this bridge you see the statue of Johannes Nepomucemus, the patron saint of Bohemia.

At the end of each World War they had to rebuild these towers.

Old postcard of the Broel towers, It's funny to compare this old view with the ones I made a few weeks ago, the big buildings in the back aren't there yet.

Close to the Broel towers you find the Kapucijnestraat, at the end of this street is the Pentascoop, a Cinema complex with five screens, but the street is a good place for fun and pleasure in one of the cosy cafes or when the weather is good in one of the sidewalk cafes.

You reach the Groeninge Veld following the Voorstraat

At the right side you see the monumental entry gate (height : 14m).

This park is a green oasis in the middle of a busy city, it is a good place to sit down and take a little rest.

The Groeninge monument is a tribute to the local heroes who fought in the Battle of the Golden Spurs. The Groeninge monument dates from 1906.

Near the city walls of Kortrijk (near the Groeningelaan) at July the 11th 1302 there was a big battle.
The French Nobles of Philips de Schone were defeated by the Guilds of Ieper and Brugge. (see also my Brugge page where this fight for freedom started with the Brugse Metten).
This battle is the beginning of the foundation of an independent Belgium.

On top of the monument you see the Virgin of Flanders.
She waves triumphantly with a scythe, while she holds the lion who has broken his chains.

In this park you also see two huge copies of Golden Spurs. The original Golden Spurs were left behind by the French Nobles after their defeat. These Golden Spurs were hung at the ceiling of the Our Lady Church. (see chapter Our Lady Church).