A city intertwined with the sea TEXT: BAS VAN DUREN | PHOTOS: WESTTOER
In Belgium, just a half hour drive away from Bruges, you’ll find a place called Nieuwpoort, that despite its name – which literally translates to ‘new port’ – is rich in history, events, shops and more. As one of Belgium’s ten seaside resorts, it has a deep relationship with the North Sea, having four ports and several highly regarded restaurants that have fresh saltwater bounty on their menu. For the outdoorsy types, to call Nieuwpoort lovely is an understatement, having unique spots of untouched nature and amazing bike routes in its surroundings. This is a city that has its roots in medieval times, saw Spanish and Dutch armies try to conquer it, and had its most devastating blow during the Great War. Despite 38 | Issue 73 | January 2020
inundating its surroundings during the Battle of the Yser against the German Army, not much was left of Nieuwpoort afterwards. But its inhabitants were adamant on restoring their city to its former glory, and brick by brick, rebuilt each house that is in use to this day, with the year they were rebuilt noted on the front. It’s a testament to the perseverance of the Nieuwpoorters and its city that has a history of coastal tourism and expanded on that after the Second World War.
Water ways “Nieuwpoort thrives on seaside tourism,” says Michelle Martens, head of the tourism department. “We have the largest marina in North Europe that is not only well-kept, but looks amazing and as such attracts sailing aficionados from
all across the continent, many from the Scandinavian countries and England. With 2,000 berths, it’s quite a sight and one that you can enjoy from the two wooden piers that lead to the marina and the fishing port. There’s a free ferry that can take you across and if you’re there, there’s so much unspoiled nature that you should definitely walk around in. There’s even a chance you will get to see seals who use Nieuwpoort as a rest stop and we have police around who make sure they get that much needed rest.”
Historic city Truly, water plays a big role in Nieuwpoort, as its city centre and the part that resides next to the shore (referred to as Nieuwpoort-Bad) are connected through a waterway, creating a vista that stretch-