The Damme Markt, the Gothic town hall and Till Eulenspiegel's house

The Markt is the centre of Damme and almost everything that tells its history is in view from here. The town hall was built between 1464 and 1468, on the site of the old aldermen's house and the market halls, when Damme still lived off its port. Today it is still in use: the municipal council meets every month in the Vierschaere and civil weddings are held in the council chamber. You can only go inside when there is an exhibition or an event, or as a guided group booking three weeks ahead.

The Huyse de Grote Sterre

Around the corner, at Jacob van Maerlantstraat 3, is the Huyse de Grote Sterre, a late Gothic patrician house that in the 15th century joined two merchants' houses, De Sterre and Craeynest; in the cellar are remains of two others from the 13th century. From 1615 the town's military governors lived in it. Above the door it carries the motto "Pacem Opto". Inside are the tourist office, a visitor centre about Damme and the Zwin and the museum of Till Eulenspiegel, the rogue of Flemish tales, which puts his stories in the context of the period. The Visit Damme website does not publish a price or opening hours for the museum itself: ask at the office, which shares the house.

To the church along the Kerkstraat

From the Markt, the Kerkstraat runs down to the Church of Our Lady. Halfway along, at number 33, is the former St John's Hospital, documented as early as 1249: the main building dates from the mid-13th century and was a home for the elderly until the start of this century. Today it is managed by the heritage body Herita, which is deciding on its future use.