TEXTURE. Museum of Flax and River Lys

In the 19th century Kortrijk was one of the most important centres in Europe for the production of linen, in part because the waters of the River Leie (Lys) were particularly suited to retting and bleaching flax. The town was celebrated for high quality damask that was sold throughout Europe. The industry collapsed in the 1960s, and most of the 200 factories in the region have been demolished, but its history is portrayed in the TEXTURE, museum of flax and river Lys. There are numerous remains of retting tanks and bleaching yards, as well as a windmill used in flax processing, in the surrounding countryside.