Saint Nicholas Church Veurne

The Saint Nicholas Church on the Grote Markt of Veurne is one of the most defining churches in the Westhoek. With its massive west tower from the 13th century and a nave extended over the centuries, it forms together with the belfry and the town hall a unique ensemble of late Gothic architecture. Veurne is also known worldwide for its annual Penance Procession, which sets out from this church.

The main entrance on the south side has been made step-free following a recent renovation. The nave is fully level and offers ample room to move around or sit freely. The high choir can be reached via a gentle ramp. The side chapels are on the ground floor, except for the baptistery, which is reached by two steps. There is no accessible toilet inside the church itself; the nearest accessible toilet is in the tourist information office on the market square.

For wheelchair users, parking is possible on the Grote Markt, where three disabled spaces are reserved on the north side of the square. The Grote Markt itself has recently been redesigned with level cobbled surfaces and gentle transitions between the parts of the square. Maintenance works can sometimes cause minor obstacles; check the city website for current information.

A visit to the Saint Nicholas Church combines well with a tour of the other monuments on the Grote Markt: the town hall, the belfry, the Spanish Pavilion and the Saint Walburga Church. The full square tour takes about half a day, including stops at the historic cafes and restaurants found on the square and in the side streets. Veurne is one of the best preserved historic towns in Belgium and particularly wheelchair-friendly in its centre.