Knokke

{{Short description|Section of Knokke-Heist, Belgium}} {{More sources needed|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Knokke |settlement_type = Town |coordinates = {{Coord|51|20|47|N|3|17|16|E|display=inline,title|region:BE_type:city(16000}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = Belgium |subdivision_type1 = Region |subdivision_name1 = Flanders |subdivision_type2 = Province |subdivision_name2 = West Flanders |subdivision_type3 = Municipality |subdivision_name3 = Knokke-Heist |unit_pref = Metric |population_as_of = 2007 |population_total = 15,708 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_note = |population_demonym = |timezone1 = CET |utc_offset1 = +1 |timezone1_DST = CEST |utc_offset1_DST = +2 |postal_code_type = Postal code |postal_code = 8300 }}

'''Knokke''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈknɔkə|-|}}) is a town in the municipality of Knokke-Heist, which is located in the province of West Flanders in Flanders, Belgium. The town itself has 15,708 inhabitants (as of 2007). thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">The Promenade on ''Het Zoute''</div> thumb|<div style="text-align: center;">Knokke beach resort</div> Knokke is the most north-eastern seaside resort on the Belgian coast. It lies adjacent to the Dutch border; separated from the Dutch territory by the Zwin nature reserve. Knokke came into existence as a result of the construction of dikes that were to protect the area around the 'Zwin' sea-arm.

Originally a vacation haven for the city folk of Brussels in the early 19th century, artists such as James Ensor, Alfred Verwee and others started to frequent the small hamlet to paint its 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. St. George's Anglican Church serves the English-speaking community.

Nowadays Knokke is known for its beaches and for the dike system to which it owes its origins. The largest of Belgium's ten casinos, Knokke Casino, is located on a seaside promenade and is open 20 hours a day.{{fact|date=July 2025}}

The town lies at the northern end of the Belgian Coast Tram line and is also served by NMBS trains at Knokke railway station. The N34 connects Knokke to De Panne.

==In popular culture== Knokke is mentioned in the Jacques Brel song, "Jacky (La Chanson de Jacky)": ''Even if one day in Knokke-le-Zoute/I become, as I fear/Singer for old women...'' It does not feature in the English language version written by Mort Shuman.

In the 1970s the town was the host of the light entertainment competition for the Golden Sea swallow of Knokke. In 1976 the British entry, BBC's ''The Norman Wisdom Show'', won first prize.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/694794c0c0844205aad0234bd1db2847 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308214035/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/694794c0c0844205aad0234bd1db2847 | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 8, 2024 | title=BBC Programme Index | date=29 December 1976 }}</ref>

The 2023 Belgian-Flemish television series ''Knokke Off'' was filmed and set in Knokke.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vrt.be/nl/over-de-vrt/nieuws/2022/06/07/opnames-gestart-van-knokke-off/|title= Opnames gestart van 'Knokke off'|date= 7 June 2022|website= vrt.be|access-date= 27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://newsmonkey.be/knokke-off-succes-nederland-tv/ |title= 'Knokke Off' is ook op televisie én in Nederland een groot succes |last= Vereecken |first= Joke |date= 16 August 2023|website= newsmonkey.be |publisher= |access-date= 27 November 2023}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery> File:Knokke Albertstrand R02.jpg|{{center|Beach}} File:Casino Knokke.JPG|{{center|Casino}} File:Stadhuis van Knokke, Alfred Verweeplein 1, Knokke.jpg|{{center|Townhall}} File:Pissarro Camille, Le village de Knocke, 1894, ppp630, Paris Musées.jpg|{{center|Painting of one time village}} File:ZWIN.jpg|{{center|The Zwin nature reserve }} File:Knokke - Dominicanenkerk 1.jpg| {{center|Dominican church}} File:Alfred Verwee002.jpg| {{center|Sculpture of Alfred Verwee}} File:Twee Groetende AVL-Mannen 02.jpg|{{center|Sculpture by Joep van Lieshout}} File:Pines at Knocke by Charles Warren Eaton.jpg|{{center|''Pines at Knocke'' by Charles Warren Eaton}} File:St George Knokke.JPG| {{center|St George's Anglican Church}} Tram de la Cote belge - Rame BN 6048 @ Knokke.JPG|Tram </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Knokke (Knokke-Heist)}} * {{Official website|https://www.knokke-heist.be/ }} {{bct}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in West Flanders Category:Seaside resorts in Belgium Category:Knokke-Heist