Inset: Lock-Keeper Geraert, who flooded the Plain (See p. [51].)
The Templars' Tower. Before the War, in November 1915, and in 1919.
On reaching the wharves, take the first street on the right, then the second on the left, to the Grand'Place, in which the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame used to stand.
Consecrated in 1163, this Gothic edifice had retained portions of the original 12th century church. The northern doorway was 15th century, and the main entrance 16th century. The tower was somewhat massive. In the interior, a 15th century rood-loft, the high altar (1630), the 17th century stalls (by Desmet), a 15th century pulpit, an ancient tabernacle (by Jean Aert of Bruges-1733), and several old tombs, were noteworthy.
Nothing remains of the church but broken fragments of walls and the ruined belfry. In the surrounding graveyard, among the broken tombstones, Belgian and French soldiers lie buried. Their graves were often devastated by the shells.
In the same square stood the 14th-15th century Cloth-Hall, whose belfry was restored in recent times. Only a portion of the façade remains.
At the end of the Square, opposite the Markets, take Rue du Marché, then the first street on the right (Rue Longue). At the corner of these two streets is the Hôtel-de-Ville (in ruins) which used to contain portraits of the kings of Spain and the arch-dukes.
Continue to the end of Rue Longue, where, on the right, are the ruins of the Templars' Tower. The square donjon is all that remains of a commandery which formerly belonged to the Templars, and which was destroyed during the siege of 1383. Behind, are vestiges of the ancient city ramparts.