The best walks and hikes around Spiere-Helkijn

On April 22, 1944, the "Liberator K fort King", an American B-24 bomber, crashed here. Before that, the crew had managed to save themselves by parachute. Some were helped by the local resistance.

On March 4, 1944, the Spitfire "HOT-BOX" serial number MJ306 of No. 412 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force was hit by German anti-aircraft fire during mission "Ramrod 623" over Belgium. The Spitfires were supposed to protect American B-17 bombers on their return flight from a raid on Berlin. The aircraft attempted to return but developed engine problems and crashed near the Scheldt River in Helkijn. The 22-year-old Canadian pilot, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Boyd Ketterson, bailed out too late and did not survive the jump. His body was found along the riverbank in Pottes and initially laid out in this mortuary before being transferred to the municipal cemetery in Wevelgem. Andrew Boyd "Ketty" Ketterson was buried there with military honors by the German occupying forces in grave 451. The list of theaters of war of No. 412 Squadron is impressive: Defence of Great Britain 1941-43, English Channel and North Sea 1942-43, Fortress Europe 1941-44, Dieppe, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany 1944-45, Normandy 1944, Arnhem, Bastogne and the Rhine. The squadron was disbanded on 21 March 1946. From the D-Day landings in Normandy (6 June 1944) until the end of the war in 1945, Squadrons 411, 401, and 412 (together No. 126 (RCAF) Wing) were the most efficient fighter units of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, with an incredible score of 336 German aircraft destroyed and thousands of vehicles, locomotives, and railway wagons. Dedicated to Flight Lieutenant A.B.M. Ketterson, 22, born in Montreal, Canada, and pilot of the "HOT-BOX" Spitfire with serial number MJ306 and squadron code VZ-M. This memorial stone is a tribute to all Canadian crew members, pilots, and ground personnel who helped liberate Europe during World War II. Source: Information board on site

"La Folie" is the name of this U-shaped farm, built around 1630. The buildings were commissioned by André Catulle (see coat of arms on the rear facade of the tower gate), archdeacon and vicar general of the diocese of Tournai. Louis XIV resided there during the Nine Years' War; see the memorial stone in the gatehouse with the inscription: "Dum hoc anno MDCLXVII venit vidit subigit flandriam Ludovicus rex christianissimus bis hac aide vsus est." Source: Inventory of Immovable Heritage

Tradition has it that the first church was built here around 650, consecrated by Saint Eloi himself. The first church in Helkijn was supposedly served by the monks of St. Martin's Abbey in Tournai. The patronage of the parish church belonged to the Bishop of Tournai, who was also the feudal lord and partial owner of the Lordship of Helkijn. The oldest verifiable church building dates from 1200. Archaeologists discovered the remains of a single-nave Romanesque structure made of Tournai stone in the substructure of the current St. John's Church. Due to its strategic location on the border between the County of Flanders and the French-aligned Tournai, Helkijn repeatedly played an important military role. Consequently, the church was destroyed many times. During the Nine Years' War between France and Austria (1688-1697), the church treasures were plundered, and in 1694, French troops burned the building to the ground. Thanks to a special subsidy from the Sun King (Louis XIV), likely due to the warm welcome he received at La Folie (see Maes farm), the church's reconstruction was completed in 1705. The brick bell tower was added to the complex in 1716. During the French Revolution, the church was closed and its contents sold at public auction. The church was destroyed again during the First World War. In 1990, the interior was completely restored with the support of the municipality, the diocese, and the King Baudouin Foundation. The interior is now the result of a compromise between contemporary elements, differentiated white walls, a soft blue choir canopy, and original 18th-century Baroque style. Church Treasures: A remarkable silver dish made in Bruges at the end of the 17th century; a stylish silver ceremonial staff, topped with a silver statuette depicting Saint John the Baptist. The patron saint of the church, Saint John the Baptist, is invoked against "vreze" (bad dreams) and is celebrated on June 24th. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

"The Ship Hunter" is a bluestone sculpture by Wilfried Gheysen and symbolizes the boat pullers or boat hunters (les satcheux) who towed boats along the towpath at the beginning of the last century. Near locks or waterway junctions (e.g., the Scheldt-Spiere Canal), skippers could hire a boat hunter who towed the boat on horseback or on foot. These were usually small farmers who lived nearby and were eager to earn some extra income. Source: spiere-helkijn.be

Until 1955, people used to swim here, but now it's a fascinating spot on your walking tour. You'll see the old pool with the original changing rooms and The Fisherman: a 10-meter-high sculpture by Tom Herck, previously displayed on the Grand Canal during the Venice Biennale. There's also a permanent outdoor exhibition. Eight artists were inspired by the former swimming pool and display their work on panels between the changing rooms, along with nostalgic archive photos. In the summer, relax at the summer bar and linger a little longer. Fun fact: in 1935, a water purification testing factory stood here. King Leopold III even visited. The project was canceled, and the pool closed in 1955, but it did receive protected monument status. Source: www.toerisme-leiestreek.be

The Spiere lock was built around 1920. It spans a height difference of two meters. The structure can accommodate six small vessels at once. Although the maximum tonnage is 1350, vessels up to 1800 tons can also be accommodated in exceptional circumstances. Source: www.spiere-helkijn.be

The history of the parish church of Spiere remains shrouded in mystery. It was probably built around 840 on a small artificial hill in the Scheldt Valley. However, the first official reports date back to the 11th century. An inscription on the northern tower gable indicates that it was constructed in 1524. Because of its strategic location at the foot of the "Vlakte van Spiere" (the flat fields bordering the Scheldt River, particularly suitable for setting up army camps) and completely surrounded by the Tournai region, the church was often the scene of fierce fighting and fell victim to looting and destruction. In 1891, the church, with the exception of the tower, was rebuilt once more. During the retreat of the German army, a few days before the armistice of November 1918, the building was irreparably damaged. Between 1920 and 1925, the current St. Amand's Church was built on the foundations of the 19th-century oratory, with some modifications. The wooden ceiling was replaced with a brick one, and the staircase to the tower was relocated. Between 2019 and 2021, the church was thoroughly renovated. The roof was retiled with new slates, walkways were installed for more efficient maintenance, and the copper drains and cornices were replaced. The tower and clocks were also refurbished. The crumbling stones were individually recreated in the stonemason's workshop and replaced. Source: information board on site