I took couple of business trips to Ghent during 2005. Every time, I flew into Brussels, the capital and the largest city of Belgium, and took a 30-40 minutes train ride to Ghent. These were short, one or two weeks trips, so I had time only in the evening, after work, to walk around its historic town center.
Ghent (Dutch: Gent), the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province in the Flemish Region of Belgium. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe. It was once considered the second largest city north of the alps, after Paris. The impact of this rich past can be clearly seen in the imposing architecture of churches and the houses of rich traders. Ghent historic town center, which is on UNESCO Tentative list, still breathes the atmosphere of a thriving late-medieval city state.
Ghent’s streets are filled with young people as it is a university town with more than 60,000 students.
Pictures below are from my trip during April and Jul 2005.
Welcome to Ghent! A simple Manhole cover with city’s name in Dutch.The first thing train passengers, arriving to Ghent Sint-Pieters railway station, will see is a Modern Art sculpture “Meeting of people and cultures (Ontmoeting van mensen en culturen )” located in the Queen Maria Hendrika Square (Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein), in front of the station..Behind me is the Belfry of Ghent. Constructed in 1313, it is the tallest belfry in Belgium. The belfry of Ghent, together with its attached buildings, belongs to the set of Belfries of Belgium and France, a group of 56 historical buildings, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.St Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint Baafskathedraal), is the oldest parish church in the heart of Ghent. This beautiful, mostly Gothic structure is an architectural gem revealing various building styles, as it was continually built over the course of 500 years until its completion in 1569. It stands on the site of a 10th century wooden church and a 12th century Romanesque church.The Royal Dutch Theatre located on Sint-Baafsplein Square. In front of it, is a statue of Jan Frans Willems, a Flemish writer and father of the Flemish movement. St. Nicholas Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk), one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks in Ghent. Begun in the early 13th century as a replacement for an earlier Romanesque church, construction continued through the rest of the century in Gothic style. The central tower served as an observation post and carried the town bells until the neighboring belfry of Ghent was built.Saint Michael’s Church (Sint-Michielskerk), constructed in 1440, is a Roman Catholic church devoted to the Archangel Michael.The Gravensteen, a medieval castle dates from 1180, was the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353. It was subsequently re-purposed as a court, prison, mint, and even as a cotton factory. It was restored over 1893–1903 and is now a museum.Graslei (Grass Quay), a quay in the historic city center of Ghent, located on the right bank of the Leie river. The quay opposite of the Graslei is called Korenlei. The area is considered one of the oldest part of Ghent, dating back to the fifth century A.D. when Ghent was the center of the wheat trade in the County of Flanders. Most of the current houses on the Graslei date back to the Middle Ages, although the monumental façades have been heavily modified in the 18th and 19th century. The area is now a cultural and touristic hotspot of the city, with a high concentration of café patios.At Graslei, in the historic city center of Ghent, St Michael’s Bridge is in the background.Historic Guild houses of Graslei after dark, with lighted St Michael’s Bridge in the background.Historic Guild houses of Graslei after dark, with lighted St Michael’s Bridge in the background.An old post office and few other historic guild house in Korenmarkt (Corn Market), a city square located between the Leie river and St. Nicholas’ Church. Cereal that was brought into the city via the nearby Graslei and Korenlei by the Leie river, was sold on the market place. Today Korenmarkt is home to many bars, restaurants and terraces.An old post office and few other historic guild house in Korenmarkt.Exploring the old town of Ghent, view from St. Michael Bridge.Getting lost in cobblestoned alleys of Patershol quarter, authentically medieval heart of Ghent. The buildings in Patershol date back to the 15th century. It used to be the part of Ghent that housed textile workers, now this area is concentrated with a large number of restaurants, bars, bakeries and boutique shops.Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market), a city square in the historic center of Ghent. Every Friday morning the square is filled with market stalls; a tradition dating back to 1199. The centerpiece of the plaza is the statue of Jacob van Artevelde, a Flemish statesman who sided with England during the Hundred Years’ War and was murdered on the site in 1345.Another angle of the statue of Jacob van Artevelde in Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market).Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) after dark.Exploring medieval town of Ghent; beautiful Architecture reflecting in the canal.Exploring medieval town of Ghent; beautiful Architecture reflecting in the canal.Het groot vleeshuis (Great Butcher’s Hall), an old meat market, located in the heart of the city. It dates back to the early 15th century when the meat sales were centralized and held indoors to ease monitoring the freshness and quality of meat. Now the beautiful huge space houses restaurants and stores featuring locally produced cheeses, meats, dairy, etc.A restaurant in a historic building of Graslei.Exploring medieval town of Ghent; beautiful Architecture reflecting in the canal.
The beer culture of Belgium is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Beer, known as “barley wine”, is famous throughout Belgium, which has some 200 breweries and 2,500 varieties of beer. Every single Belgian beer has it’s own matching glass. UNESCO considers that the beer culture plays an important role in the daily life of the country as well as at festive occasions
Enjoying a glass of Petrus Blond, refreshing Belgian beer.Enjoying a glass of Duvel, a golden Ale, brewed since 1871.
After most trips to Belgium, I flew back to home in Dallas; other than one trip in Jul 2005, I went to Ireland for a weekend stop-over before flying to Dallas.
In May 2017, 23 days before I was going to complete 50 years, grabbed an opportunity and took an early retirement.. Picked up a backpack and traveling ever since.. Love to travel around the world, experience different culture, local cuisine & drinks .. and take pictures.. so far been to 108 countries and still counting...
Window on the World 