Today I was one of the volunteers who had to drive schoolchildren to a neighbouring village, where they had to watch a stage play. While don G. and his friends had a good time realizing that cultural life is more then gaming, I payed a visit to a nearby place called Snellegem (Snelle's homestead).
This hamlet is nowadays a forgotten spot in the middle of nowhere, but has a long and dignified history. And a few interesting buildings to illustrate it.
In the 7th century the place became a Crown Estate, the "fiscus Snelleghem", belonging to the Merovingian dynasty, with a major or domesticus who lived on the central fortified farm, named "Ridderhof" or "Oosthof" (Knight's stead or East stead).
Today it's a restaurant and the oldest parts, like the entry gate, are dating back to the 15th century. A part of the rampart ditch is still visible, and the general aspect is that of a typical 17th century farm.
There is also a beautiful little Romanesque church, the Saint-Eligius church, built in 1150.
When the Merovingian king Dagobert I encouraged the christianisation of his kingdom, Saint Eligius of Noyon had -around 630- a wooden church constructed on the Royal Estate. It was dedicated to Saint-Stephen and was replaced during the 12th century by the actual church, with its octagonal tower.
In 1893 a mastodonic neo-Gothic church was built just beside the old one, completely spoiling the scenery. Locals told me that once a village priest wished the ugly thing to be pulled down. I presume he would have had good king Dagobert's support!
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