The Belgica Cultural House, in a former cinema, is the cultural heart of the town and the region. It hosts an extraordinarily wide range of activities: music, film, theatre, dance, comedy, circus, lectures, exhibitions … It is a meeting place for people of every kind. A place where there is always something new to experience!
Huis Van Winckel
The townhouse section of the site is a protected monument. It was originally designed as a private residence and was meticulously restored following historical research between 2020 and 2022. Back in 2009, the rear extension of the house was already redesigned to serve as emergency exits for the balcony of the Belgica Theater.
Cultural Center
The Belgica section has long been a public space, with a history as a performance hall and cinema, followed by a long period of vacancy. In 1996, this part was purchased and transformed by the city of Dendermonde into the Cultural Center Belgica. This section of the building is not protected, which allowed for more freedom in structural redesign and renovation during the 2022–2023 restoration phase.
Facade
From the street side, the facades remain untouched (protected cityscape), giving the impression that the rear buildings remain two separate entities. Inside, however, both buildings have been fully integrated and unified. Wandering through the building therefore offers a unique and eclectic experience.
A beautiful city garden completes Cultural Center Belgica, which also features a brand-new Bar Belgica and will soon include an outdoor terrace with the restored garden.