The best running trails around Izegem

In the garden of the castle of Ingelmunster stand two human figures built from rough stone blocks. It is a work by the British artist Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). I don't know the title, but I'm guessing "Two Watchers", as Chadwick made a series of similar (especially bronze) works which he always gave this title. Artist's website: https://lynnchadwick.org/

Today, parts of the castle are rented out as a venue for corporate events, seminars, parties, and more. Extensive work has been carried out for this purpose over the past quarter century. Mr. Marc Van Honsebrouck, who died last year at the age of 89, had lived in the castle with his family since 1986, and had already commissioned renovations around the turn of the century. But disaster struck shortly afterward. On September 20, 2001, at 1:45 a.m., a fire broke out. Fortunately, Mr. Marc and his family managed to escape, but the entire left wing, both the ground floor and the upper floor, was completely destroyed. Although the fire department arrived very quickly, many priceless works of art were lost in the fire. The building itself suffered greatly, but the skill of the firefighters managed to stop the all-consuming flames. The grief over this terrible event was palpable far beyond the castle grounds. In 2012, Mr. Marc Van Honsebrouk decided to take over the castle's entire care and bought out his brother, who had been co-owner until then. His plan was to breathe new life into the castle, which had only been made wind- and watertight after the fire. The result of the past few years is the magnificent halls that shine again. Sources: https://kasteelvaningelmunster.be/ https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20230824_96366895

The origin of the name "Ingelmunster" most likely lies in the history of this castle. The castle was built on the ruins of a seventh-century monastery. In 740, the monastery was reportedly inhabited by English monks, who gave it their name: Anglo Monaterum, Engelmunster, or Ingelmunster, meaning "Monastery of the Angels." In 855, the monastery fell prey to the Normans, the feared rulers of the sea. They plundered and burned the monastery. Little more than a ruin remained of the "Monastery of the Angels." The first Flemish ruler to establish a political presence in West Flanders was Robert I the Frisian, the tenth Count of Flanders. His reign lasted from 1071 to 1093, and he had the fortified castle built on the site of the ruins. Ingelmunster's location, on the doorstep of West Flanders and along the waterway that crossed the military route between Kortrijk and Bruges, was of such strategic importance that it was called the "Key to Flanders." Ingelmunster Castle, which at that time was still a veritable "lock," offered the key to unlocking a tactical advantage. Source: https://kasteelvaningelmunster.be/historiek-kasteel/

The bridge's somewhat rebellious name was chosen by the people of Ingelmunster. It refers to the historical nickname "brigand" (meaning highwayman) that a group of Ingelmunster residents in the 18th century were given after they resisted the French occupiers. Source: https://www.seineschelde.be/vernieuwen-brigandsbrug-ingelmunster-wat And... no, the rapper Brihang is not from Ingelmunster, but from Knokke-Heist, where the dialect "brigand" (in West Flemish, "brihang") is, of course, also part of the local dialect.

A unique, recent bridge, inaugurated in 2020. What makes the Brigands Bridge a real eye-catcher is the opening between the two lanes that allows light to pass through. This allows the open space under the bridge—which would normally be shrouded in shadow—to be fully utilized, even allowing a green axis of flora and fauna to develop beneath the bridge. The bridge is almost 300m long. Source: https://www.infosteel.be/staal-bouw-project/6073-brigandsbrug-ingelmunster

Pilgrimage site whose history dates back to 1760 or even earlier. Almost a century earlier, there was already talk of the "Vernagelt Strate", now "Vernagelingsstraat", of which the Leenbosstraat forms an extension to the south of the Veldkruis. That street name refers to the Veldkruis, which has traditionally been visited as a place of pilgrimage to pray against the "nail holes". People offer nails there to heal ulcers or leg wounds. Due to a spring storm in 2008, the Veldkruis was blown over and severely damaged. A completely new cross was erected by the Provincial Technical Service. The current flanking chapels are also 20th century. In the left chapel, among other things, statues of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady with Child. In the right chapel, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and above the doorway a niche in which nails are offered. Source: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/207864

Absolutely beautiful area of 44 hectares of forest, with three ponds with remarkable names, of which the largest, the castle pond, is called "'t Zeetje". In the second pond, Ardoyevijver, there is a headland/peninsula with a bench where the view is beautiful and it is quiet to sit. The third pond and surroundings are managed as a nature reserve. On the edge of it there is a birdwatching hut.

The inn "Blomgadt" is already indicated on a map dating from 1654-1656. The toponym "Blo(e)mgat" is used as the name of the district and inn, with the oldest mention even dating back to 1640. One of the ponds within the nearby "Ardoye Veldt" is the "Blo(e)mgatvijver". In the mid-19th century, the inn was owned by Auguste de Jonghe d'Ardoye, a descendant of the family of lords of Ardooie (and also a senator). In the mid-20th century, the inn was owned by Justice of the Peace Hubert Lagae-Vanden Bussche from Harelbeke. In 2019, the café closed... until the current owner, Julie Velghe, a bricklayer by training, fell in love with the place and restored the café to its former glory by carrying out the necessary renovations. She respected the authentic interior and made it shine again. The café reopened in April 2022, with Julie behind the bar. Sources: https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/207471 https://www.hln.be/ardooie/van-de-bouwwerf-naar-de-tap-metser-julie-heropent-cafe-t-bloemgat~aace69b2/