Knokke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈknɔkə]) is one of a group of communities that are all grouped in the administrative community Knokke-Heist, in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium. Knokke itself has 15,653 inhabitants (2003).
Knokke is the most North-Eastern seaside resort of the Belgian coast. It lies close to the Dutch border and is separated from the Dutch territory by the Zwin, a beautiful and extremely interesting natural reserve. It is famous for its beaches, and for the dike system to which it owes its origins.
Knokke came into existence because of the construction of dikes that were meant to protect the area around the 'Zwin' sea-arm. Originally a simple vacation haven for the city folk of Brussels in the early 1800s, artists such as James Ensor, Alfred Verwee and others, started to frequent the small hamlet to paint its beautiful vistas. The artists rented a small miller's cottage and founded the Cercle des Artistes in 1880. It gradually became a resort town with upscale clientele, restaurants and shops.
Knokke also has one of Belgium's ten casinos with art by Keith Haring, Rene Magritte and Paul Delvaux. The Kroonluchterzaal (Chandelier room) contains a 6 ton chandelier made of Venetian crystal. The chandelier has a diameter of 8.5 m and is 6.5 m high. Some 22,000 pieces of glass were used and 2,700 lamps light up the main hall. It was created by Architect J. Selis and designer Al. David.
Source: Wikipedia
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