Gent (Ghent)

Ghent is the capital of Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders) and is one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe. The city combines a mixture of past and present. The citizens of Ghent have nicknamed the numerous tourists who visit their city, "stroppendragers" or noose-bearers. The historic heart of Ghent offers a lot of places of interest. From St Michael's bridge there is a wonderful view on the skyline of Ghent with the three impressive towers of St Nicholas' Church, the Belfry with its bell tower and St Bavo's cathedral with the world famous painting "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck.

Ghent of the Middle Ages has been preserved at a lot of the city. The old port with its guild halls on the Graslei and Korenlei is just one example of the beautiful views this city has to offer you.

The Castle of the Counts was once the medieval fortress of the Count of Flanders. Today it's one of Ghent's main tourist attractions. The city also has several museums, abbeys, beguinages, dozens of churches and historical buildings.

What to See and Do in Ghent

Ghent has on offer, an enormous choice in restaurants, cafes and bars. Take the opportunity of your stay in Ghent to try the famous “Gentse waterzooi”: vegetable bouillon with potatoes, simmered or with chicken or with fish. Well prepared, it’s a dinner, fit for a king.

Ghent Museum of Fine Arts

Offers a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, drawings and graphic art from the 14th century to the first half of the 20th century, a selection of approximately 300 to 350 works is exhibited permanently. The arrangement is chronological, which makes it easy to get a good overview of the collection by walking through it.

Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art

This museum exhibits a fascinating collection of visual art from national and international masters of the 20th century. The emphasis has been put on artistic trends since 1945.

It's international tendencies ranging from Cobra over Lyrical Abstraction and Pop Art to Minimal Art, Arte Povera and the new sculptures of the eighties are well represented.

Botanical Garden of the University of Ghent

The Botanical garden in Ghent has a collection of 7,500 different species of plants.

Museum for the history of medecine

Here you will find information and documentation centre for the history of medical education and research at the university, of sanitary care and medical culture.

St Bavo Abbey

The ruins of this Abbey form a haven of peace and green in the centre of the city and offer the visitors a unique piece of the history of Ghent.

A refectory of the 12th century. Frescoes, gravestones and stone objects of disappeared Ghent buildings.

Castle of the Counts

This castle has served as a count's residence to cotton spinning mill, from small fortification with wooden buildings to an imposing castle, from symbol of power to tourist attraction. The Castle of the Counts has had a lively history of building, decay and revaluation.

Cloth Hall

The construction of the Cloth Hall started in 1425, after plans by master Simon van Assche. Already in 1441, with only 7 of the 11 planned bays completed, the works were put to a stop. At that moment the cloth trade was already past its peak and it was useless to finish the building.

Source: www.belgiumdesign.com