A little further downstream along the River Scheldt lies Ename, now part of the town of Oudenaarde. In the early Middle Ages, this small village was situated on the border between the French and German empires.
Ename
Around 974, the German emperor ordered the construction of a fortified stronghold here. A thriving trading settlement soon developed nearby. This development came to an end in 1050, when the Count of Flanders, a vassal of the French king, conquered Ename and built a Benedictine abbey on the ruins of the fortification. The abbey remained here for almost seven centuries.
Today, the foundations of the abbey form a fascinating archaeological park of international significance. Thanks to the multimedia “Window on Time” experience, the abbey is brought back to life before the visitor’s eyes.
At the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Ename (pam Ename), more than 1,000 years of history are presented in an engaging and fascinating way. The museum is located in the shadow of the Ottonian St Lawrence’s Church, a remarkable building that revealed many of its secrets in the early 1990s.
In 1992, Byzantine wall paintings were discovered inside the church. As a unique testimony to the Ottonian civilisation, St Lawrence’s Church is one of a kind in Flanders.
After your visit, why not continue your journey with a walk through Ename Wood, following the signposted Mariette Tielemans trail?
Discover
- Guided tours
- Educational programmes for different age groups and audiences
- Audio guides in Dutch, French, English and German, as well as a special children’s tour
- Events and concerts
- Restaurants and cafés nearby
- Cycling and walking routes
Practical information – pam Ename
pam Ename
Lijnwaadmarkt 20
9700 Oudenaarde (Ename)
Tel.: 055/30.90.40
Fax: 055/30.99.01
Email:
Website: www.pam-ename.be
Opening hours:
Open daily from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, except Mondays and from 25 December to 2 January inclusive.
Tip: combine your visit with Velzeke!
With the same ticket, you can also visit the Provincial Archaeological Museum of South-East Flanders, Velzeke site (pam Velzeke) in Zottegem.
The museum offers a fascinating insight into life in the region, from prehistoric times and the Gallo-Roman period to the early Middle Ages.
Be sure to take a moment to relax in the unique Roman garden.
A range of original educational projects, including “Educar” and projects focusing on Gallo-Roman and prehistoric clothing, bring the past to life and make history tangible for visitors.
Practical information – pam Velzeke
pam Velzeke
Paddestraat 7
9060 Zottegem
Tel.: 09/360.67.16
Fax: 09/361.28.41
Email:
Website: www.pam-velzeke.be
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 9.00 am–12.00 pm and 1.00 pm–5.00 pm.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 2.00 pm–6.00 pm.
Source: Oudenaarde Tourism