More

    Tourist Attractions in Ghent

    The most interesting tourist attractions places in Ghent. Photos and a brief description.

    light rain
    56.7 ° F
    59.3 °
    54.2 °
    92 %
    4.8mph
    100 %
    Mon
    57 °
    Tue
    57 °
    Wed
    57 °
    Thu
    57 °
    Fri
    52 °
    About Ghent

    The calm, cozy and atmospheric cities of Belgium never cease to amaze and delight tourists. Ghent was no exception – the charming capital of Flanders has retained its medieval charm and a very special spirit. It is a city of majestic Gothic cathedrals and picturesque houses of wealthy merchant guilds, which seem to have sought to surpass each other in the elegance of facades.

    Ghent developed early into the commercial and industrial center of Flanders. For many centuries now, human rights and freedoms have been respected here, traditions are revered and the future is being built with dignity. In summer, the city is drowned in flowers, which is especially pleasant for tourists. Once every few years, a grandiose flower festival is held in Ghent, which attracts half of Europe.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Ghent

    Friday Market Square

    One of the oldest squares in Ghent, which has witnessed many historical events: conflicts of trade guilds, executions and coronations. The weekly Friday market has been gathering here since the end of the XII century, for a long time this event has become an unshakable tradition. The square is surrounded by buildings of the XV-XIX centuries, in the center there is a monument dedicated to Jacob van Arteveld – the leader of the anti-French uprising of the XIV century.

    Friday Market Square
    Ghent Town Hall

    Ghent Town Hall

    The city council building, which is a mixture of architectural styles. The facade is clearly divided into two parts belonging to different eras. Here you can find elements of Gothic, Flemish Renaissance, pseudo Empire, Baroque. The town hall was built in the first half of the XVI century on the site of the former house of one of the trade guilds. In the XIX century, several reconstructions were carried out, including a completely renovated interior.

    Ghent Post Office Building

    An architectural monument of the late XIX — early XX centuries, erected according to the project of L. Kloket in the style of Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic. The facade is decorated with symbolic statues depicting Belgium, Flanders and Wallonia. The smaller statues are the Belgian provinces. A traditional clock tower with a pointed spire rises above the post office building. At the moment, the commercial center is located in the premises.

    Ghent Post Office Building
    Beffroy Tower

    Beffroy Tower

    In the distant Middle Ages, the tower performed an important function of notifying the population in the event of enemy troops approaching the city walls, about the beginning of a fire or other disasters. In the event of such an event, a large alarm bell began to ring. The tower was erected in the XIV century, over time it turned into a symbol of freedom of the citizens of Ghent. At one time, a document on city privileges was kept in the tower.

    Castle of the Counts of Flanders

    An ancient powerful fortress of the XII century, one of the most visited attractions in Belgium. The building has been perfectly preserved and has reached our days. The rulers of Flanders used the castle as a defensive fortress, residence and mint. Inside the building there is a museum of weapons, where magnificent medieval swords, crossbows, daggers, armor, pistols are exhibited.

    Castle of the Counts of Flanders
    The Castle of Gerard the Devil

    The Castle of Gerard the Devil

    An ancient gloomy castle that belonged to one of the sons of the Ghent count. According to legend, this character killed several of his wives, for which he received the nickname "The Devil". The complex was built in the XIII century in the monumental Romanesque style, but later it was rebuilt several times, which is why the structure acquired a later Gothic appearance. For centuries, the castle has housed a monastery, an asylum for the insane, an orphanage, a prison and a city archive.

    Cathedral of St. Bavon

    The Cathedral of Ghent, belonging to the Roman Catholic diocese. There was a wooden church on the site of the present temple in the X century, later in the XI century it was rebuilt in Romanesque style, and since the XIV century – in Gothic. The most famous relic of the temple is the Ghent altar, painted by recognized masters of the early Flemish Renaissance – the Van Eyck brothers.

    Cathedral of St. Bavon
    St. Nicholas Church

    St. Nicholas Church

    The temple is one of the oldest religious buildings in Ghent. Its history began in the XII century. The predominant architectural style of the structure is the Scheldt Gothic, which is distinguished by the use of a special kind of blue-gray stone. The Church of St. Nicholas was owned by the powerful merchant guilds of Ghent. But this did not save it from partial destruction during the Iconoclastic Uprising of 1566.

    St. Michael's Church and Bridge

    A magnificent Gothic church of the XV century, located in a quiet central area of Ghent. The temple was built for several centuries until 1828. The restoration was carried out after the First World War. The picturesque St. Michael's Bridge leads from the church to the opposite side of the Lis River. It offers stunning views of the surrounding architectural splendor of the city's cathedrals, towers and medieval streets.

    St. Michael's Church and Bridge
    Museum of Fine Arts

    Museum of Fine Arts

    A museum with a rich and diverse collection. It occupies a very worthy place in the galaxy of Belgian art galleries. The museum's collection is based on works of art confiscated from the Jesuit Order and other religious associations. Later, many of the exhibits were taken by the French to Paris. Ghent has not yet managed to return an impressive part of the exposition. The museum was opened to visitors in 1904, and after the First World War it started working in 1921.

    City Museum of Modern Art (S.M.A.K.)

    The museum was organized in 1999. He quickly gained popularity thanks to his bold provocative exhibitions and events. The permanent exhibition presents works by E. Warhol, F. Bacon, K. Appel, J. Beuys and other famous masters of our time. Also, temporary exhibitions are often organized on the territory, where exhibits from other fashionable galleries of modern art are brought.

    City Museum of Modern Art (S.M.A.K.)
    Museum of Industry, Labor and Textiles

    Museum of Industry, Labor and Textiles

    The museum collection occupies the building of a former textile mill located in the central part of Ghent. The exhibits tell about the history of the development of local industry since 1750. Most of the exposition is devoted to textiles, since Ghent already in the XVIII century turned into a major center for the manufacture and processing of fabrics. The museum exhibits looms, spinning wheels, machines and other equipment.

    Complex of protective structures Works

    The complex is part of the city fortress wall of the XV century. It consists of two round towers, a stepped facade located in the middle, and a bridge. After losing its defensive significance, the Works were used as an archive, tavern and warehouse. Nowadays, the territory of the complex is used for meetings, lectures and seminars. Residents of Ghent call the attractions quite simply – "Three Towers".

    Complex of protective structures Works
    Gent-Sint-Pieters Train Station

    Gent-Sint-Pieters Train Station

    The main railway station of Ghent, which grew out of a small station. The modern building was built for the opening of the 1913 World's Fair. Trains depart from the station in all directions within the country. The station is the second busiest in Belgium, so it is better to buy a ticket in advance, otherwise there is a risk of not getting on the right train. In 2007-2010 . Gent-Sint-Peters has been restored and renovated.

    Grass Street and Grain Street

    The embankments of Ghent, located on the Lys River, which make up a harmonious architectural complex. There are preserved historical buildings of the XVII-XIX centuries – houses of trade guilds, built in the style of the Flemish Renaissance, Brabant Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical. Grass Street and Grain Street are popular places for tourists to walk. Many houses have restaurants with summer terraces, and after a hearty dinner you can take a boat ride.

    Grass Street and Grain Street