Many tourists, going to Belgium, are not even aware of the existence of a small town, comfortably located at the intersection of the Leie (Lies) and Scheldt rivers. Yes, the sights of Ghent are not as popular as the famous Manneken Pis of Brussels or the canals of Bruges. But this compact city, where past and present merge in perfect harmony, has much to offer its guests. Try to dedicate at least one day to time travel – from the 21st century to the Middle Ages. Let's talk about the 16 most interesting sights of Ghent.

Two reasons to visit Ghent

Even if you have been traveling around Europe for more than a day, and cobbled streets, ancient architecture and dilapidated cathedrals no longer arouse delight, the Belgian city, which has withstood the onslaught of wars and times, will surely conquer you. And there are reasons for this.

Friday Market Square (Vrijdagmarkt)

Once in the main square, surrounded by Gothic buildings, you understand why Europe is respectfully called the old woman. This popular place in the Middle Ages was the epicenter of the life of the townspeople. It has witnessed many historical events: from coronations and festive parades to public executions, the last of which took place in 1822. In 1199, a market appeared here, which still exists today. Every Friday at 7:30 am, the bell ringing from the tower of the 1450-built Toreke house announces the start of a brisk trade.

In the center of the Vrijdagmarkt there is a monument dedicated to the leader of the uprising against the Flemish count, Jacob van Artevelde. It was he who became the head of the guilds, whose support helped in 1340 to rise to the throne of France to King Edward II of England. The pedestal of the monument is decorated with the coats of arms of the guilds and images of agreements, in the conclusion of which this wise politician participated. Because of the many restaurants, residents call the historic square “open-air cafes.” We advise beer lovers to visit the cult institution Crazy Greta and empty a half-meter glass-flask of one of the 250 beers.

Ghent Town Hall

In 1482, the first stone of the building was laid, designed to become a meeting place for authorities and guilds. However, the erected building seemed to the city council not large enough and luxurious, and it was decided to complete it. As a result, the Town Hall has become a building with many faces: the Gothic facade contrasts sharply with the luxurious lines of the Italian Renaissance.

Inside the Town Hall, you will also come into contact with a variety of styles: you will see the Arsenal Hall with wooden vaults going up, the Hall of Peace with a black and white tiled floor in the form of a labyrinth, symbolizing the search for happiness, the Wedding Chapel decorated with stained glass windows, and the Throne Room, in which the throne of the monarch Joseph has been preserved. II.

The town hall can be visited on weekdays from 8:00 to 17:00, the day off is Sunday. Entrance – 5 euros, inspection as part of an excursion group – 8 euros.

Ghent Post Office

The former post office building, erected in 1909, reveals to the guests of Ghent Belgium, imprinted in stone. The neo-gothic two-level facade with neo-renaissance elements is decorated with three female figures, symbolizing Belgium and its main provinces – Wallonia and Flanders. On the lower tier are ten smaller sculptures depicting the remaining regions of the country.

The architectural ensemble of the old post office is complemented by corner octagonal turrets and a square bell tower with a clock and an elegant spire. At the beginning of the 21st century, the richly decorated building was converted into the De Post shopping center.

Castle of the Counts of Flanders (Gravensteen)

In the city center, surrounded by the waters of the Leie River and the Liwe Canal, is the main attraction of Ghent – a powerful stone castle, built between 1157 and 1191. by order of Count Philip of Alsace. It is said that Gravensten is the only building in the country that fully illustrates the medieval way of life. Throughout its history, the castle performed not only a defensive function, but was also the residence of the counts of Flanders, was used as a mint, a textile factory, a prison and a courtroom.

Today, a museum has been opened inside the stone structure, in one of the premises of which knightly armor and weapons are presented. Impressive natures should refuse to visit the second hall – the basis of the expositions are the instruments of torture and corporal punishment. Better go up to the roof and admire the panorama of Ghent.

Tourists can visit Gravensten daily from April to October from 10:00 to 18:00 and from November to March from 9:00 to 17:00. The entrance ticket costs 10 euros.

Castle of Gerard the Devil

For lovers of mysticism and chilling stories, we recommend taking a walk to the castle of Gerard Wilian, son of the Ghent Count Zeger III. This knight received the fame of the Bluebeard, since, according to legend, he killed five of his wives, for which he was nicknamed the Devil.

An ancient legend and interesting architecture have made Gerard's haven a popular attraction. The building of the 13th century with a number of towers and lancet Gothic windows is the oldest stone building in the city. At various times there were armories, a monastery, a dungeon and a lunatic asylum here. Now the gates of the castle are closed to visitors.

Cathedral of Saint Bavo

The famous temple, built in 1569, embodies the Gothic style in architecture and is an imposing structure of brick and granite. Its grandeur is complemented by a square tower with a spire, which in 1602 lost its roof as a result of a fire. Under the choir of the basilica, nine bishops of the city are buried in the crypt.

The interiors of the cathedral are made in the Baroque style. Here, every detail impresses with its monumentality and grandeur. The treasures of the temple are chapels with paintings by famous painters, stained glass windows and a carved pulpit made of oak and marble. A special place is occupied by the altar triptych by the Van Eyck brothers, created in the 15th century. The 24 panels depict scenes from the Bible: from the Flood to the coming of Jesus. The central part of the masterpiece is currently under restoration.

The doors of the cathedral are open daily: from April to October – from 09:30 to 17:00 and from November to March from 10:30 to 16:00. Entrance – 4 euros.

Befroy Tower (Belfort)

The tower of the Cathedral of St. Bavo has something in common with the rising 91 meters Belfort – a watchtower that alerted citizens about fires, floods and enemy attacks. The first blow of the tocsin bell, shaking the walls of houses with its ringing, was heard by the inhabitants of Ghent in 1338, and after 332 years the bell tower was supplemented with a clock, which is today the oldest in Belgium.

Currently, in Beffroy, tourists can see two museums: an archive of the city's secret documents and a collection of bells. Right at the doorstep there is a narrow staircase, 400 steps of which lead to the observation deck. A prize awaits those who overcome them: a bird's-eye view of the city and a photograph against the background of a forged golden dragon-weather vane, which previously adorned the cape of a Viking ship.

The bell tower is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance – 8 euros.

Herb Street and Grain Street

The medieval streets that line both sides of the River Lys were originally part of Toussaint-Bruggen, the city's bustling harbor. Architectural treasures are found on these embankments – the most beautiful half-timbered houses in Belgium, built by wealthy merchants between the 13th and 17th centuries.

Several cafes are open here, inviting you to admire the ships sailing along the Lis and taste traditional French fries or airy Belgian waffles. A pleasure boat departs from the pier, on which you can take a 40-minute excursion to the historical center and admire the silent witnesses of the Middle Ages: the Flemish facades, the Great Meat House and the mighty walls of the Counts' Castle.

Church of St. Nicholas

On Grain Street rises one of the oldest cathedrals in the city, named after St. Nicholas. Previously, there was a Romanesque chapel built in 1100 and destroyed by fire in 1176. The construction of a new church in the Gothic style was carried out with funds raised from the sale of grain, and symbolized the wealth of the city. The material for the building was gray-blue stone, delivered by ships from the vicinity of Tournai.

The church was rebuilt many times, and in the 16th century it fell into disrepair and decay. Restoration work started only at the beginning of the last century and is still ongoing. Today, the main nave is open to visitors, the restrained beauty of which is emphasized by a wooden pulpit, an altar decorated with gilding and an organ by Aristide Cavalier-Collet.

The temple can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 and on Monday from 14:00 to 17:00.

Bridge and Church of Saint Michael

Grass Street and Grain Street are connected by a paved bridge, which offers a fantastic view of the austere medieval stepped gables and cheerful baroque facades. A small bridge is framed by massive railings, in the center there is a bronze statue of the Archangel Michael, piercing the hydra with a spear.

Nearby is the Gothic church of St. Michael, the construction of which began in 1440. The time was chosen poorly – wars, the Reformation and financial difficulties led to the fact that the temple was opened only after 400 years. The peculiarity of the church is the western tower. The architect planned to create a 134-meter structure, but his idea was not destined to come true – a brick structure with a flat roof rises only 23 meters into the sky.

The church is open daily from 14:00 to 17:00.

Museum of Fine Arts

In the spacious halls of the museum, whose history began in 1802, works by European schools of painting, written in the period from the 15th to the 20th century, are exhibited. In the presented collection, the largest share is occupied by paintings by Flemish artists. Lovers of beauty come here from all over the world to look at the immortal works of Bosch, Haeckel, Pourbus, Rubens and Kirchner.

The painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, created in the 15th century by the brothers Jan and Hubert van Eycko, is currently being restored in the gallery. Over its 600-year history, the painting has come a long way: at different times it became a trophy of Napoleon and the Nazis, was stolen and divided into parts more than once, but in an incomprehensible way always returned to the Cathedral of St. Bavo, as it was the center of its altar. The legendary work is located in a studio with glass walls, which makes it possible to observe the work of restorers.

The expositions are open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 17:30, on Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance – 8 euros, persons under the age of 18 – free of charge.

City Museum of Modern Art (SMAK)

Opposite the art gallery, in the former casino building, there is another haven for the muses of culture and painting, introducing visitors to modern trends: pop art, minimalism and cobra. Often in tourist brochures, this museum is called “upstart in the art world.” Probably, he received this disparaging comparison for provocative expositions-installations denouncing the vices of modern society.

Founded in 1999, SMAK showcases the best of both international and Belgian artists, including Luc Tuymans, Joseph Beuys, David Hammons, Thomas Schütte, Ilya Kabakov and Marcel Broadhaters.

Opening hours: on weekdays (except Monday) from 9:30 to 17:30, on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00. Entrance is 12 euros.

Museum of Industry, Labor and Textiles (MIAT)

MIAT is a relatively new museum, occupied since 1990 in the building of the former Desmet-Guéquier cotton processing plant. The exhibits introduce the development of urban industry from 1750 to the present day. Among the objects of interest is the Mule Jenny spinning machine, which was smuggled out of England in 1800 and marked the beginning of the industrial revolution in Flanders.

The main building of MIAT has five floors and houses various collections. A special place is occupied by a video and photo exhibition dedicated to the difficult working conditions of workers, including minors. The museum has a cafe and a shop in a separate wing.

Opening hours: weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 and weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.

Complex of protective structures Works

In 1488, Maximilian of Austria took advantage of the vulnerability of the defensive structure erected on the banks of the Liwe Canal and invaded Ghent. When, after forty days of occupation, his army was forced to retire, the city authorities decided to strengthen the central building of the fortress wall with two towers. This is how Rabot arose, which gave the name to the whole area.

The stone complex, consisting of a central façade, two adjoining buildings with sharp-angled roofs and a bridge, has been used for centuries as an archive, a powder store and an inn. Now there is a room equipped for seminars, conferences and receptions.

Ghent-Sint-Peters station

Tourists arriving in the pearl of Flanders by train are met by the main train station – St. Peter's railway station. The dry description given in the guidebooks does not correspond to reality in any way. The structure, reminiscent of a Moorish red brick palace, is huge. Inside are waiting rooms, the main lobby, and corridors that look like endless tunnels. While looking at the walls and ceiling, painted with frescoes and decorated with bas-reliefs, do not miss your train departing from one of the 12 platforms.

There is a clock tower next to the station. She repeated the fate of the famous building in Italian Pisa and eventually deviated from its axis. Due to the threat of collapse, the tower was completely dismantled and then rebuilt.

Ghent lies at the crossroads of the main roads leading from Brussels and Bruges. It is very easy to get to the medieval pearl of Europe: trains from the Main railway station of the Belgian capital depart every 15-25 minutes. Depending on the route, the trip lasts from 35 to 50 minutes. The ticket price is from 8 to 10 euros.

Tourism.com.de recommends the following hotels in Ghent: