Ghent is a city located in northwestern Belgium, in the Flemish Region, at the confluence between the Lys and Scheldt rivers. In fact its name comes from the Celtic Ganda which refers to a convergence. It has a great location for a getaway, as it is between Bruges and Brussels just half an hour from both. In addition, it has the quality of being the Flemish city with the most historical buildings.
This city has great charm and an old town with many monuments to visit. It is a very touristy city and also of great beauty. We are going to see everything that you cannot miss if you visit Ghent on a getaway to Belgium.
Church of San Nicolás
This is one of the oldest monuments that we can find in the city of Ghent. A church that began to be built in the XNUMXth century in the typical Gothic style of the Scheldt area. It replaced the old Romanesque church that was destroyed in a fire. It stands out for its blue-gray stone and for its tall bell tower. From its interior we can appreciate how light can enter through the stained glass windows and it also has a large organ. It is dedicated to Saint Nicholas because it was financed by the merchants' guild, this being the patron. If we want to take some great pictures of the church we can go up to the famous Bell Tower.
San Miguel bridge
On the San Miguel Bridge we will get the best views and photographs of the old city of Ghent. It is a bridge of very beautiful stone that has old houses on both sides and with the towers of the old buildings in the background. With these elements we will be able to take the best photographs of the old town of Ghent. It is a place to enjoy simply seeing how beautiful and historical this city is. In addition, you can hire a guided tour to learn more about the history of Ghent or see the bridge and its surroundings on a river cruise.
St. Bavo's Cathedral
Saint Bavo is the patron saint of Ghent, hence its cathedral is dedicated to him. East XNUMXth century building It is another of the essentials that should not be missed during the visit. Not only is the building itself important for its age, but also for housing numerous works of art of great importance. The most important of all is Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, considered one of the most significant works of medieval painting in Western Europe. There are other works that are also of interest such as that of Saint Bavo enters the Ghent convent by Rubens.
Castle of the Counts of Flanders
This castle is a XNUMXth century defensive fortress built by Felipe de Alsacia, Count of Flanders. Today it is one of the best preserved in all of Europe. It is located on the River Lys and has a moat around it to enhance that defense. It has a very beautiful exterior but you also have to visit its interior, with various museum rooms in which the history of the city is exposed, with an old torture room and the Tower of Homage.
Graslei and Korenlei
In this area they found the most important docks in the city, so it was a commercial area of great interest. On the banks of the river, beautiful houses were built that are still in very good condition today, hence it is a very interesting area. It is recommended to walk along both banks both during the day and at night, when the city is illuminated.
Belfort or the Bell Tower
This tower stands out over the buildings thanks to its 91 meters high. It is an old watchtower from the XNUMXth century that is still preserved in perfect condition and is crowned by a golden figure of a dragon. Inside you can visit its rooms in which the history of the tower is told and the old bell is exposed, with which they warned citizens of some danger. Without a doubt it is an essential visit, especially for the panoramic views of the city of Ghent from the tower.
corn market
This beautiful square is the place where found the famous wheat market, so centuries ago it was a central meeting point. Today it is still that meeting point but instead of a market, tourists can enjoy tasting the famous Belgian beer in its establishments. It is a place to relax and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city among beautiful old buildings. Perfect for a stop after a visit.
City of Ghent
The town hall is an old building that attracts attention because it is built in various styles. One of them the Gothic and the other the Renaissance, both very different. You can also visit the inside and see places such as the Peace Room or the Arsenal Room.