Archeologische site Ename, Archaeological site in Ename, Oudenaarde, Belgium.
Archeologische site Ename is an excavated settlement in Oudenaarde with building ruins, foundations, and objects spanning several historical periods. The grounds contain an abbey, a church, and residential areas that together show a complex medieval center.
The settlement began in the 10th century as a strategic trading post on the border between the Frankish and German realms. It grew with the founding of the abbey and became a major religious and economic center for the region.
This place served as a major religious hub for centuries, with the abbey shaping spiritual life in the region and drawing pilgrims from surrounding areas.
The grounds are easy to access and include a large archaeopark with good paths and marked areas for exploring. Visitors find signage, exhibition spaces, and rest areas to explore the site at their own pace.
Saint Lawrence Church on the grounds contains some of the oldest wall paintings in Flanders, which researchers view as a valuable window into early medieval artistic practices. These frescoes date from a period when wall painting was still rare in the region.
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