Dominated by the Gravensteen, the castle of the counts of Flanders, Ghent, at the eve of the XXIst century looks like a town with a promising artistic and cultural future. When searching for the far origins of the town one finds in the ancient manuscripts the name of Ganda. This is the oldest designation known so far and could mean "confluent", since Ghent is situated at the junction of two rivers, the Scheldt and the Leie. The first historical event is the arrival of St. Amandus and his christianisation activities. In 1880, when Count Philip Alsace orders the construction of the casle to break the arrogance of the citizens, Ghent is already the most eminent town of Flanders and the first cloth centre in Europe. In the XIVth century, it is even the second town in population north of the Alps, just after Paris. In those times, the town was very factious and difficult to govern. The counts of Flanders were often forced to call for the help of their sovereigns, the Kings of France to repress the insurrections. In 1302, the allies of the King of France, the patricians, loose definitively the government over the town to the Guilds. Particularly the Weavers Guild, led by Jacob van Artevelde and later by his son Philip, was very unrelenting. In their resistance against France, they become allies of the Kings of England. A testimonial of this political struggle is the Belfry, erected as a symbol of the town's freedoms.
During the Burgundian period, Ghent plays an important role in the thrive of the arts in the Netherlands. The Mystic Lamb of the brothers Van Eyck in the St. Bavo cathedral evidences this exceptional cultural dissemniation. Under the reign of Charles Y (1500-1558), born in Ghent, the Town Hall was built in late-gothic style, but it remained unachieved by reason of an insurrection against the great Emperor. After a long decline, the economy of Ghent takes a new and deciseive start towards 1750. New industrial activities such as the cotton and linen mills or the metallurgy appear. As a consecration of this development, King William I of the Netherlands, founds the Ghent University in 1827, and the town develops to become like Leuven an important scientific centre in Flanders. The sea-channel Ghent-Terneuzen is achieved in 1827, and transforms the town into a maritime port. Later on, Ghent also became a very important centre of horticulture. The population prospered as is attested by the imposing frontages of the Veldstraat and the Kouter.
With reputable events such as the Floralies (flower shows) every 5 years, the yearly Festival of Flanders and the International Film Event of Flanders, with its prestigious past and its promising future, Ghent certainly merits your full attention.
In the centre of Flanders, Ghent is one of the nicest towns in Europe with its histrical heritage and its countless attractions. Ghent has more classified monuments than any other city in Belgium. The superb St. Bavo cathedral is very characteristic with its successive architectural styles: romanesque, gothic, late-gothic and baroque. It contains one of the most renowned paintings in the world, the Worship of the Mystic Lamb by Jan Van Eyck (1432) which is considered as the summit of the Flemish paintings in the XVth century. The cathedral also owns a masterpiece of P.P. Rubens, "St. Bavo's entry into the Monastery" from 1623. In 1180, the imposing Count's castle (Gravenkasteel, St. Veerleplein) was built by Philip Alsace to counterbalance the power of the burghers. Since the XIVth century it has lost its military purpose and was used as mint, court of justice, prison and cotton mill. The medieval castle includes crypts, dungeons, cells and torture rooms. The panoramic views from the keep are wonderfull. One of the most brilliant historical monuments of Ghent is the Belfry (St. Baafsplein) erected in 1300 as a tower of the borough to safeguard the obtained charters. The tower with its carillon and bells museum can be visited. The oldest part of the Town Hall (Botermarkt) is in late-gothic style. Each room has its own history and therefore it is advisable to join a guided visit.
The St. Nicolas church, built in the XVIIIthe century, is the most remarkable illustration of the gothic style in the Scheldt region (Korenmarkt). The frontages of the small houses of the Graslei and Koornlei (Grass and Corn quay) reflecting in the Leie, seduce all visitors. The whole town is rightly proud of this site. Each frontage reminds of the intense trade activities by the ancient Guilds. The most nicely indented frontages can be found in the old port of Ghent (Graslei, Korenlei and Hoogpoort) or in Patershol neighourhood (Oudburg). St. Michael's is the most imposing bridge in Ghent. It offers an unforgettable sight on the two quays and the famous succession of Ghent's towers : the St. Nicolas church, the Belfry and the St. Bavo cathedral. The numerous monasteries and convents in Ghent are real heavens of peace. The former monastery of the Dominacans Het Pand is impressing. Presently, it belongs to the Ghent University and is used as a cultural centre.
The Museum of Fine Arts owns an overwhelming collection of classical and modern art: paintings, sculptures and drawings. The Flemish school is well represented. At the same address, you find the Museum of Contemporary Art with a rich collection of figurative art by Belgian and foreign masters of the XXth century. The museum of Ornamental Art (Jan Breydelstraat, 5) displays beautiful antique furniture in adapted surroundings. The A. Vander Haeghen Museum (Veldstraat, 82) is famous for its Chinese drawing-room with walls entirely recovered with Chinese coloured silk of the XVIII century. The Michel Thierry School museum housed in the St. Pieters monastery (St. Pietersplein, 14) has grown out into a unique museum in Europe. It is divided into several parts assigned to the different school subjects (geology, mathematics, ...). Here you can aslo watch the sound and light show "Ghent and Charles V". Life in Ghent at the beginning of this century is truly rendered in the 18 small houses of the Folklore museum in the heart of the Patershol neighourhood (Kraanlei, 65). For all further information, you can contact the Conference Planning Secretariat or the Tourist Office of the Town of Ghent.
