Oostkerke is a picturesque polder village and a sub-municipality of Damme in West Flanders (Belgium). It was an independent municipality until the municipal merger of 1977.
The village is situated in the typical West Flemish polder landscape (at an elevation of approximately 2 m), surrounded by old sea dikes (such as the Krinkeldijk), canals (Damse Vaart/Napoleon Canal, Leopold Canal, and Schipdonk Canal) and open agricultural land.
In 1974, Oostkerke was voted the most beautiful village in West Flanders.
The small center is characterized by whitewashed old houses, the Sint-Quintinus Church (Sint-Kwintenskerk, one of the oldest parishes in the region, with a legend surrounding Saint Guthago/Guthagon), Oostkerke Castle (with medieval roots and gardens by Mien Ruys), and several windmills.
The history possibly dates back to the 8th century (first written mention as Ostkerka in 1028); the parish was formerly much larger and encompassed surrounding places.
The village and castle suffered damage in both world wars (including inundations and the destruction of the church in 1944), after which reconstruction followed.
It is a quiet, rural, and touristically attractive spot in the polders between Bruges and the coast.