Top Bezienswaardigheden Ghent

Ontdek de prachtige bezienswaardigheden van Ghent! Verken de stad met ons uitgebreide overzicht van unieke plekken die je niet mag missen. Ontdek meer op onze stadspagina en maak gebruik van onze gratis stadswandeling langs de mooiste bezienswaardigheden van Ghent. Laat je verrassen door de charme van deze geweldige stad!

1 - St Baafskathedraal

The Saint Bavo Cathedral is a medieval church. The cathedral is originally Gothic, but has other elements as a result of later additions. The main reason to take a look at St Bavo's Cathedral is the presence of The Mystic Lamb from 1432. This religious polyptych was made by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. The altarpiece, painted on twelve wooden panels, has recently undergone a major restoration.

2 - Korenlei

From the 11th century, the Korenlei was a kind of jetty to quickly bring goods (mainly grain) to the warehouses or to collect goods. Ghent was in possession of the so-called grain staple right, which meant that the grain coming from northern France had to pass through Ghent. The grain was not allowed to be traded immediately, but first had to lie in the grain warehouse for two weeks. Several buildings on the Korenlei are reminders of these activities.

3 - Graslei

In the eleventh century a lot of trade was conducted here. The Leie was then the port of the city. There are still a number of stately guild houses on the water, which at the time served as a warehouse, weigh house or post office. At Graslei 12 you will find the toll booth, the smallest building on Graslei. Now you will find many cozy terraces along the water where you can enjoy delicious drinks and dishes.

4 - Belfort van Gent

The 95 meter high belfry was built in the fourteenth century and forms the center of Ghent's famous row of towers. The belfry is built against the cloth hall. The belfry can be visited for a fee. The first part you have to climb a spiral staircase, but then you can take the elevator to the level that offers a beautiful view over the city of Ghent.

5 - Werregarenstraat/Graffitistraatje

The car-free Werregarenstraat in the center has been transformed into a graffiti tolerance zone. This creates expressive colorful art that together form a fascinating attraction within Ghent. Definitely worth walking through during your visit to Ghent.

6 - Gravensteen

The Gravensteen is a fortified moated castle with an almost intact defense system. The first fortifications were built in the ninth century. In the eleventh century, a large stone keep followed. The Castle of the Counts has changed over time. The Gravensteen is open almost daily for visitors. It shows nicely how a medieval fortress is built. The weapon museum and law museum show you special objects, including a real guillotine. In addition, you have a beautiful view of the city from the Gravensteen.

7 - Vrijdagmarkt

The Vrijdagmarkt is one of the oldest squares in the city. Nowadays, parties are mainly organized on the square. In the past, many executions and executions were also held on this square. On the square you will find a statue of Jacob van Artevelde, a hero of the Hundred Years War.

8 - Metselaarshuis

The real masons' house from the sixteenth century is located on this site. The real house, because there is an exact copy on the Graslei. It was rebuilt according to the original plans for the World's Fair in 1913. The real Bricklayer's house was hidden behind ugly facades at that time and then forgotten. Until it reappeared in 1976 during renovation work. On top of the stepped gable, six figures are happily dancing. Under the building is a thirteenth-century cellar.

9 - Huis Arnold van der Haeghen

The interiors of the Arnold Vander Haeghen House appeal enormously to the imagination. Top pieces are the unique Chinese salon and the reconstruction of the study of the Ghent Nobel Prize winner for Literature, Maurice Maeterlinck. The courtyard garden is open to the public. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday you just walk in. The house breathes the atmosphere of the belle epoque. On the ground floor you can visit the vestibule, the dining room, the 18th century Chinese salon and the Maeterlinck cabinet.

10 - Huis van Alijn

The House of Alijn is a museum that is located in the former Children of Alijn Hospital. The museum shows everyday life in the twentieth century. You are guided through the past century by decade. The further you get to the end of that era, the more often you will see objects that remind you of your childhood or later life. This provides the adult visitors with a feast of recognition.

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