Surroundings, Sint-Niklaas

In the Grote Markt stands the Sint-Martinuskerk (ca.1200), of which only the Late-Romanesque crossing-tower remains of the original building phase. The other parts of the church were added in the 15th C. (nave) and the 16th C. (choir). The interesting interior of the church has a high altar by Fayd'herbe (1622). Around 1840 the three-aisled nave was extended by two additional aisles.

Kasteel Cortewalle, a fine moated castle, dates from about 1600. The building in Flemish Renaissance style will serve after restoration as a culture center and museum. Inside can be found 19th C. furniture and pictures.

The Hof Ter Saksen, now a ruined château was built in 1770 in a fine park. The moated castle Oud Geestelijk Hof or Hof Ter Welle (16th/17th C.) is now used as an orphanage.

A ruined castle along with restored public park makes an ideal setting for this notable arboretum.

In the market stands Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk, a Gothic 16th C. hall church which can look back to a predecessor dating from 770. In the church is the 16th C. tomb of the benefactors of the town, Roeland Lefebure and Hadewigis van Heemstede.

The Stadhuis was erected between 1903 and 1906 in neo-Renaissance style; it now houses the local museum.

Daytrips from Temse to Dendermonde or shorter visits to St Amanda and Dendemonde.

Some typically fine Flemish houses of the 17th and 18th C. flank the Grote Markt; the elegant Stadhuis in Flemish Roccoco style was designed by David t'Kindt, the architect from Ghent.

The most striking feature of Sint-Laurentiuskerk is its white tower crowned by a dome. The church dates from the 16th and 17th C. and was destroyed in 1719 by fire. The reconstruction was in Baroque style. From this time dates the beautiful pulpit by the Mechelen artist Verhaegen.Also noteworthy are the confessionals (1655) and the Late-Gothic font.

The Stedelijk Museum (municipal museum) in the old cloth hall on the Grote Kaai exhibits pre- historic finds, furniture and folk art.