OSTENDE - BELGIUM

In 1722, the Dutch closed off the entrance to the harbour of Antwerp and Ostend rose to prominence. In 1838, a railway connection with Brussels was constructed and Ostend became a transit point to England a few years later when the first ferry sailed to Dover. Ostend grew in stature during the reigns of the Belgian Kings Leopold I and Leopold II, who both liked to spend their vacations in the city. Important monuments and villas were built for the Royal Family and the rest of aristocratic Belgium soon followed, leading to Ostend being called "The Queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts".

Today it's still very easy to go to Ostend from Brussels. It has become a city with a lot of very modern buildings in the city center and along the beach. All old houses very demolished and replaced by modern high buildings. The seaside has become real ugly, but of course there is much more space for tourists.

Lots of wealthy retired Belgians bought or rented an apartment along the coast, it's only 100 km from Brussels. You have the sea and also a city at the same time.



The church of Ostend





the station



little train for tourists



Shopping streat







habour





and very moody weather



This is the view of my friend's flat at Ostend.


More about Ostend here in my Countries & Cities Blog

Phase 2

more participants here