Woeste Hoogten (“Wild Heights”)
The name Woeste Hoogten (“Wild Heights”) refers to the historic landscape forged through centuries of interaction between poor sandy soils and human ambition. Farms like Drongengoedhoeve, Huysmanhoeve, and Papinglohoeve stood at the heart of this transformation.
A Landscape Shaped by Time and Toil
At the center of this historic landscape lies the cuesta between Oedelem and Zomergem — a rare, elongated ridge formed over 50 million years ago. This subtle rise in the otherwise flat Meetjesland shaped land use, settlement, and water systems throughout the ages. Research by Ghent University now brings this evolution to life through vivid 3D reconstructions.
Photorealistic Drawings of Historic Farmsteads
The Drongengoedhoeve, Huysmanhoeve, and Papinglohoeve are cherished heritage sites today. But what did these medieval reclamation farms look like centuries ago? Using the latest historical and archaeological research, I created detailed photorealistic reconstructions of each site. These images are available both on location and through the Erfgoedapp. In collaboration with Ghent University, we aim to present the most accurate vision possible of how these farmsteads once stood.
Explore the Past by Bike
The “From Marsh to Meetjesland” cycle route spans 60 km, beginning at the Huysmanhoeve in Eeklo. It takes you along historic waterways, peat fields, and medieval canals. Ride over ancient sand ridges, follow the Lieve canal, and pass through villages like Zomergem, Waarschoot, and Ertvelde—places where the landscape still bears the marks of its past.
bicycle tours (NL)
