Information
Landmark: Medieval BridgeCity: Kortrijk
Country: Belgium
Continent: Europe
Medieval Bridge, Kortrijk, Belgium, Europe
Overview
In the center of Kortrijk, Belgium, the Medieval Bridge-locals also call it Kattestraat Bridge-arches over the calm waters of the Leie River.This landmark matters for its rich history and its spot in the heart of the city, where you can look out over the river and see old stone buildings lining the shore.The bridge traces its roots to the Middle Ages, though no one knows the exact year it was built; still, records suggest it’s stood here since at least the 13th century, when wagons rattled across its worn stones.One of the city’s oldest river crossings, the bridge connects the heart of town with outlying districts, its worn stones once echoing with the clatter of cart wheels carrying goods to market.The medieval bridge was crucial to Kortrijk’s life, linking the town’s two halves across the slow, green waters of the Leie and serving as a key artery in its infrastructure.Merchants, weary travelers, and locals once relied on this bridge as a key trade route; built of solid stone with graceful medieval arches, it let boats and larger vessels slip beneath along the busy river, and it still stands in Kortrijk’s historic center, just steps from the Broel Towers and the Belfry.The bridge sits just steps from the Leie River, a waterway that’s shaped the city’s story for centuries.Built of stone, it carries a quiet elegance, its pointed arches echoing the grace of medieval craftsmanship.The arched spans rise high enough for boats to slip beneath, and the solid stonework echoes the craftsmanship of medieval bridge builders.The bridge is slimmer than today’s wide, concrete spans, which gives it a quaint, timeworn charm.Though cars no longer rumble across the Medieval Bridge, it still stands as a treasured piece of history.Today, it’s a pedestrian bridge, offering a pleasant stroll across the Leie River where the water glints in the afternoon sun.The bridge is a favorite spot for photographers, with sweeping views of the city skyline and the quiet ripple of the river below.It sits in Kortrijk’s historic and cultural district, drawing visitors who come to explore the city’s medieval past.Just steps away, other centuries-old landmarks line the cobbled streets, making it a key stop along the old town’s walking route.Nearby, you can explore the Broel Towers-twin medieval sentinels that once guarded the city and now stand as a proud symbol of Kortrijk-climb the UNESCO-listed Belfry for sweeping views of rooftops and river, and step inside the Church of Our Lady to admire its soaring Gothic arches; together with the graceful Medieval Bridge, these landmarks bring the city’s past vividly to life.Its medieval design still draws people in, making it a beloved city landmark with both history and beauty-like weathered stone arches glowing warm in the late afternoon sun.Today, it’s a pedestrian bridge where visitors can wander through Kortrijk’s medieval past and pause to take in the Leie River glinting below and the rooftops stretching beyond.
