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A small museum in honour of Prince Charles, the last royal owner of the estate. The memorial museum is housed in the home he stayed at frequently from 1950 until his death in 1983.
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Atlantikwall Open Air Museum
An open air museum focussing on the Nazi mega-project that was the Atlantikwall, a large coastal defence system of bunkers stretching from southern France to northern Norway, as to defend against a British invasion. The museum counts some two dozen bunkers, trenches, as well as accommodation and artillery.
Anno 1465
Back in the early mediaeval period, the land stretching from Ostend to Westende formed a long island of its own, called Testerep. The small town of Walraversijde once lay west of today's Raversijde, but is now abandoned. Modern-day Walraversijde is a group of four reconstructed early mediaeval fishermen's houses, as well as several long-term archaeological dig sites.
Art Museum by the Sea
Created after the 2008 merger of the Museum voor Moderne Kunst (Modern Art Museum) and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts).
The Leopold Park was set out in 1860 on the old city walls in British style, with ponds, paths and flowerbeds. The first park regulations gave free access to tourists, but local residents had to pay. The beautiful bandstand was inaugurated in 1885. The best-known statue of Oostende, called The Sea, but there is not one person who calls it that. Nearly everyone remembers the statue only by its popular name ‘Dikke Mathille’ - ‘Fat Mathilde’. There even is a “Dikke Mathille” beer that you can taste in local pubs. Near the Fat Mathilde on the right hand side is the famous Floral Clock created from 20,000 flowers and plants. It has a diameter of 9 m, the hands are 3 and 4 m long and weigh 70 and 90 kg. The date, made entirely of flowers, is reset every day during the summer months.
Sailing Ship Mercator
A former Belgian merchant marine training ship, this three-masted schooner is now a floating maritime museum. It has a length of more than 78 m and a width of 11 m. This beautiful ship is really worth a visit. Great for kids as well.
James Ensor House
The house where Anglo-Belgian artist James Ensor lived from 1916 has been restored and transformed into a museum of his life. Studio and lounge on the second floor. Only reproductions are displayed.