Oostkamp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oostkamp
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Oostkamp Rivierbeek
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 Oostkamp
Location in Belgium
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| Country | Belgium | ||
| Community | Flemish Community | ||
| Region | Flemish Region | ||
| Province | West Flanders | ||
| Arrondissement | Bruges | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 79.65 km2 (30.75 sq mi) | ||
| Population
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| • Total | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | ||
| Postal codes |
8020
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| Area codes | 050 | ||
| Website | www.oostkamp.be | ||
Oostkamp (pronounced like OAST-kamp) is a town in the Belgian province of West Flanders. It's a municipality, which means it's a local government area. The municipality of Oostkamp includes the main town of Oostkamp, plus three other villages: Hertsberge, Ruddervoorde, and Waardamme.
As of January 1, 2019, about 23,698 people lived in Oostkamp. The total area of the municipality is about 79.65 square kilometers. This means there are about 289 people living in each square kilometer.
History of Oostkamp
The name Oostkamp comes from an old word, "Orscamp." This word meant "place of the horses." The old word ors is actually related to the English word horse. So, Oostkamp has a long connection with horses!
Oostkamp During World War II
During World War II, a group of soldiers called the Canadian 4th Armoured Division helped free Oostkamp. They liberated the village on September 8, 1944. This happened during a big fight called the Battle of Moerbrugge. To remember the 53 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives, a special monument was built near the Ghent-Bruges Canal.
How Oostkamp Grew in 1977
In 1977, a new law in Belgium brought some villages together. This law combined Oostkamp, Hertsberge, Ruddervoorde, and Waardamme into one bigger municipality. This new, larger area became known as Greater Oostkamp.
Cool Places and Old Buildings
Churches in Oostkamp
- The Sint Pieters-in-de-Bandenkerk is a special church. It has a very old tower from the 12th century, which is over 800 years old! The middle part of the church was built later in a style called Gothic. Inside, there's a beautiful old organ from 1717.
- The Macieberrot is a Marian grotto. It's a small cave-like shrine built in 1914.
OostCampus: The New Town Hall
In 2012, all the different offices for the town's services moved to a brand new building called 'OostCampus'. Before this, the offices were spread out in many different places. By 2017, even the mayor and other important officials moved there. Now, OostCampus is the main City Hall and Civic Centre for Oostkamp.
This building was designed by a Spanish architect named Carlos Arroyo. It's a really cool building and has won some important awards, like:
- The Gold Prijs Bouwmeester in 2013 for its great renovation.
- It was named one of Archdaily's 65 best new buildings in the world in 2012.
- It also won the Holcim Silver Award for Sustainable Construction in Europe in 2011.
- The building was even shown at a famous architecture event in Venice in 2012!
Kastelen: Castles, Châteaux, and Mansions
Oostkamp is famous for having about twenty amazing Kastelen. This word means castles, châteaux, or large mansions. These grand houses were built a long time ago by rich nobles and merchants. They used them as country homes or places to relax, especially if they lived in nearby Bruges.
Most of these kastelen are private homes, so you usually can't go inside. But many of them can be seen from the public roads, which is still pretty cool!
Kastelen in Oostkamp Town
- Kasteel Gruuthuse: This castle has been around since the 13th century!
- Kasteel de Breidels
- Kasteel Newburgh
- Kasteel Schoonhove
- Kasteel Kevergem
- Kasteel de Herten
- Kasteel de Cellen: This one is now used by an insurance company.
- Kasteel Macieberg: This castle is now a school called Freinetschool Ivy.
- Kasteel Beukenpark: This used to be a town administrative center.
- Villa 't Valkennest: This is now a youth center.
- Kasteel Cruydenhove: This castle is now a restaurant and event venue for a hotel.
Kastelen in Ruddervoorde
- Kasteel Pecsteen
- Kasteel Raepenburg
- Kasteel Sint-Hubertus
- Kasteel Lakenbos (also known as Rood Kasteel)
- Kasteel De Akker
- Kasteel Doeveren
- Kasteel Zorgvliet: This castle sadly burned down during a thunderstorm.
- Landhuis Leegendael: This house is now a Bed and Breakfast.
Kastelen in Waardamme
- Kasteel de Woesten
- Kasteel Rooiveld: This castle was built in the 15th century as a hunting lodge!
Kastelen in Hertsberge
- Kasteel van Hertsberge
Kastelen in Moerbrugge
- Blauw Kasteel: This is a very old medieval castle, probably the oldest in Oostkamp! It's now protected as a historic building.
Sister Cities
Oostkamp has special friendships with towns in other countries. These are called "sister cities."
See also
In Spanish: Oostkamp para niños
