Broel Towers and lowered Leieboorden
Broel Towers
The towers (Broeltorens) are constructed from limestone and sandstone. The southern 'Speytorre' was constructed in 1385 to control traffic on the Leie. The tower was also part of the fortifications of the Counts of Flanders' first castle in Kortrijk. The northerly 'Inghelburghtorre', dating back to 1415, served as a weapons depot and was equipped for the use of artillery. The Broel bridge originally dates back to 1385. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.
The banks will bring you very near the water's edge , so much so that sitting on one of the lovely terraces , you will almost be able to dip your toes into the water.
Open: Visits inside the Broel Towers are only permitted in the company of a guide.
Did you know that: 'broel' refers to 'bruul', which means a generally marshy or fallow piece of land?
Lowered Leieboorden
To make the Leie navigable for larger ships, a straightening and widening of the river in the city centre was necessary. After these major works, Kortrijk was a facelifted city with a widened Leie, new bridges, banks with wide paths, beautiful parks and restored contact with the water.
The edges of the Leie (Leieboorden) are the place to be! A green zone par excellence where young and old gather for undisturbed enjoyment. And that in the middle of the city! Around the Koning Albertpark site, the famous Skatebowl emerged, the quays were upgraded and Kortrijk got its own city beach, Buda Beach.
A new Leie needs new bridges. No fewer than seven imposing specimens reconfigure the Kortrijk skyline and give it a distinctive, sturdy look. No boring or uniform copies, but seven characterful bridges that help orient visitors and residents alike. At times masterfully urban, then boldly zigzagging. All are suspended seven metres above the water table. The Ronde Van Vlaanderen Bridge, Dam Bridge, Groeninge Bridge, College Bridge, North Bridge, Buda Bridge and the ‘golden’ Reep Bridge are all gems.
Modified Social Bench #05
The Modified Social Bench #05 was placed here at the Broelkaai by artist Jeppe Hein during the first Kortrijk Triennial for visual arts. Feel free to sit, lie down, hang, or climb on this bench.
