Lieve, Medieval canal and protected monument in Evergem and Ghent, Belgium.
The Lieve is a medieval canal that runs through three municipalities and connects different parts of the Belgian waterway network. The waterway features stone bridges at regular intervals and links historical infrastructure with modern water management systems.
The canal was created in the Middle Ages as a major trade route between Ghent and neighboring regions, facilitating the movement of goods between trading centers. Over the centuries it retained its function even as transport methods transformed completely.
The waterway takes its name from a saint and shapes the local landscape with its distinctive bridges and embankments. These structures reflect how the region has organized itself around water for centuries.
Visitors can explore the banks through marked walking and cycling paths that connect various points along the waterway. The best conditions for walking or cycling are during dry weather when all routes remain easily passable.
The waterway adjusts automatically to changing water levels while maintaining its original medieval course. This blend of ancient routing with newer flow regulation methods is unusual for the region.
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