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Casino Knokke
 

The website of the Natural Reserve "The Zwin" and its Butterfly Garden

Lovers of mondain sea-side resorts   will certainly like Knokke. On the main boulevards of the city (Lippenslaan, Dumortierlaan and Kustlaan) there are plenty of exclusive shops and galleries. Of course a Casino is also present. The Knokke Casino is situated at the Canadasquare.

It was built in 1929-1930 and thoroughly renovated after the Second World War. Even if you're not a gambler a visit to the Casino is worthwhile for its splendid interior decoration. Next to the impressive chandelier, there are wall-paintings from Paul Delvaux (1983), Keith Haring  and Rene Magritte (1953) as well as multicolored sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle. Inside the gambling room are wall tapestries made by Jean Lurçat.

The eye-catcher inside the casino is the chandelier, the biggest in Europe. It was designed by Architect J.Selis and designer Al. David and manufactured in Venice, Italy. The chandelier has a diameter of 8.5 m and is 6.5 m high. The total weight is 7.000 kg, some 22.000 pieces of glass were used and 2.700 lamps light up the main hall.

On the Maurice Lippenssquare, in the heart of the old Knokke, stands the Saint Margaret Church (1955-1958). Although the church is quite modern, it houses some beautiful baroque artwork (paintings, pulpit and organ). The town hall of Knokke, built in Neo-gothic style in 1913, can be seen at the Verwee-square.

In the borough of 'Het Kalf' an 18th century windmill can be visited during most weekends in July, August and September. Another windmill from 1862 (the 'Siska'-mill) can be seen in 'Het Zoute'. While there, you will certainly admire the nice avenues and alleys of this rather 'aristocratic' part of Knokke. In 'Het Zoute' luxurious villas show Belgian architecture at its best and most beautiful.

At the Bronlaan, 14  lies the 'Butterfly garden'. This is a 425 m² large tropically heated greenhouse with little ponds that are decorated with water lillies and small waterfalls. In the artificial garden hundreds of exotic butterflies are kept. This beautiful garden is open from April till the first weekend of October from 10 am till 17 pm.

THE WAFFLES OF MOTHER SISKA

A real gastronomic institution in Knokke is the waffle-house 'Mother Siska'. Already in 1892 Siska made her delicious waffles for the visitors of Knokke. 
Her 12 children continued the tradition. The specialty of the house : the waffles in five-hearts shape.

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