Paddestraat
The Paddestraat is a 2.3 km long cobbled road in the municipality of Zottegem, in East Flanders, Belgium. The road is a regular location of the springtime cycling classics in Flanders. In 1995, the cobbled road of the Paddestraat was classified as a protected monument by the Flemish government.
Characteristics
The road is situated entirely in Zottegem. The cobbled part starts at the bridge over the Zwalm, a small river at 18 m altitude, on the border between Zwalm and Zottegem. It runs northeasterly towards the Roman Square in Velzeke, a part of Zottegem, at 50 m altitude. Most altitude gain happens in the first 800 m, before flattening out in the latter 1.500 m, totalling ca. 2.350 m of cobbled surface.The road dates back to Roman times, when it was a part of the historic road from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Cologne. An archeological museum, the archaeological museum of Velzeke, is situated at the northeasterly entrance of the Paddestraat. Some important archeological findings from Gallo-Roman culture, including the bronze Venus of Velzeke, were made at the site. The Dutch name of the road is taken from the common toad, which are found in large number at the site near the river during mating season.