Vloethemveld is a nature reserve of approximately 365 hectares with a hidden past. It is a very varied area, with forest, heathland, sparse grasslands and nutrient-poor water. You will find unspoilt nature, military heritage and the memory of a prisoner of war camp through the art of its inhabitants. That combination is unique in the world.
The area is the ideal backdrop for a relaxing trip, an introduction to the history of the area or an adventurous journey of discovery in nature. There is a nice play zone for the children. The Vloethemveld camp can be visited under the guidance of a guide.
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European Top Nature
Due to the wealth of communities, the variety of fauna and flora is very large in Vloethemveld.
Since 2013 it has been managed by the Agency for Nature and Forest.
The area enjoys protection up to the European level and belongs to the Natura 2000 sites.
One of the top attractions is the presence of three heaths, namely shrub heath, common heath and red heath.
An exciting history
Vloethemveld has a unique historical past.
Count Gwijde van Dampierre donates land to the Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges in 1296, which had several farms built on the edge of the area to clear the fields, including Vloethemhof. From 1770, Vloethemveld will be drained and managed as a wood extraction area.
During WWI, Vloethemveld is occupied by the Germans, who build a lot of logistics installations and cut trees on a large scale. After WWI, the Belgian army builds an ammunition depot and barracks, which are taken back by the Germans during WWII.
After WWII, from February 1945 to August 1946, the British set up the largest British prisoner of war in Belgium for Germans and their allies. The barracks and artworks such as St. George and the Dragon and the Marianne are silent witnesses from that period.
From the 1950s, the area is used as an ammunition depot again, until the Belgian army leaves the area in the late 90s. A first part of the ammunition depot will be sold to the Flemish government in 2008, followed by a second part in 2012. The large -scale nature recovery will start.
In 2018, the Nature and Forest Agency will conclude a cooperation agreement with the Flemish Land Agency and the municipalities of Zedelgem and Jabbeke, which means the start of a new chapter. These governments are joining forces with the volunteers of the Vloethemveld vzw and of the HWCVloethemveld to cherish and develop the history, stories, heritage and biodiversity of Vloethemveld so that the next generations can also enjoy it.
Cultural -historical landscape
The protected cultural -historical landscape is 465 hectares. The southern part of the cultural -historical landscape consists of the former ammunition depot, in the middle of a forest belt that extends between the Aartrijkse Steenweg in Jabbeke in the northeast and the Diksmuidse Heirweg in Zedelgem in the south.
On the side of Jabbeke, a few farms of the many centuries that the area was in the hands of Sint-Janshospitaal Bruges. Fishing, drained and wooded under their rule. Vloethemveld was thus an important wingewest for the city.
A look at the finds
In recent years, a metal detection campaign has yielded a lot of traces from the past. Buttons, tubes toothpaste, bottles of medicines, forks, ... came to the surface.
All these finds of the past years are kept in the Depot of interface in Bruges.
Every month an object is put in the spotlight on our social media.
On the website of Interface Can you view all the finds of the Vloethemveld collection.
Book 'Vloethemveld, Hidden Pearl'
The Flemish Land Company, the Agency for Nature and Forest, the municipalities of Zedelgem and Jabbeke and Stichting Kunstboek together issued the book "Vloethemveld, Hidden Pearl". It is the first book that offers a detailed overview of the nature reserve in all its aspects, with many never -before -published archive material and beautiful photos. The book costs 45 euros and is available in the town halls of Jabbeke and Zedelgem, in the camp house during opening hours, it can be ordered via this order form Or through your trusted bookstore.
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