Page 142 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

140  BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG REGION B Y REGION

u A Tour Around St-Martens-Latem

The pretty stretch of countryside along the River Leie just before
it reaches Ghent, was famously adopted at the start of the 20th
century by a number of Belgian artists who were collectively
known as the St-Martens-Latem school. Mostly Symbolists,
they included Gustave van de Woestyne, Valerius de Saedeleer,
Frits van den Berghe, Albert Servaes, Gustave de Smet and the
sculptor Georges Minne. Constant Permeke arrived in 1909,
bringing a more radical Expressionistic tone. Many galleries
in this part of the Leiestreek (Leie region), display their work.
1 St-Jan-Baptistkerk
2 Gemeentelijk The distinctive octagonal
Museum Gevaert-Minne tower and spire of the
This museum has a major 13th-century Church of St
collection of work by the John the Baptist in Afsnee
artists of the St-Martens- is seen in many paintings.
Latem school.
Ghent
3 St-Martens-Latem Afsnee
A short detour along Meerstraat
at St-Martens-Latem leads to a STR MEER MOTELPUT
curving stretch of the river that
STR
makes clear why artists were Bachte- BOSSTR Sint-Martens-
attracted to this area.
Maria-Leerne Latem
LEERNSE- DREF OOIDONK-
STEENWEG
Schipdonk Canal Leie 4 Museum Gustave de Smet
Surrounded by trees in a quiet
quarter of Deurle, the house
where artist Gustave de Smet
Deinze (1877−1943) lived and worked
has been preserved as an art
gallery and museum.
Kortrijk
0 km 2
7 Museum van Deinze en 6 Kasteel Ooidonk 0 miles 2
de Leiestreek (MuDeL) A short detour to this
On the eastern outskirts of Deinze, elegant château and its Key
this museum has a fine collection gardens provides an Tour route
of art, antique furniture and crafts. opportunity to see the
tranquil farm and woodland Motorway
Tips for Drivers areas around the river. Other road
Starting point: Afsnee, just
north of the A10 motorway
outside Ghent.
Length: About 15 km (10 miles).
Duration: Allow half a day.
Driving conditions: The roads
are narrow but good.
Where to eat: Restaurants are at
Deinze and St-Martens-Latem.
Visitors’ Information: Deinze:
Emile Clausplein 4, (09) 3804601;
St-Martens-Latem: Dorp 1, 5 Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens
(09) 2821700. Named after its art-collector founders, this dynamic museum
∑ toerisme-leiestreek.be specializes in exhibitions of contemporary art, but also displays
selections of its impressive permanent collection.

For keys to symbols see back flap

140-141_EW_Belgium.indd 140 18/10/16 3:01 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm