Ghent, one of Flanders' gems

Yankeebiscuitfan · #1 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 2:34 PM**

To escape that mass hysteria that surrounds the coronation of the Dutch king, I went to Ghent today.

Here is an impression of this beautiful city.

Medieval meat hall

On the right, the Gravensteen, a romantic interpretation of what used to be a medieval castle. This castle first served as seat of the Counts of Flanders. Later it was used as courthouse and even as a factory (late 19th century). The stones of the castle were used to build houses, so the castle was in disrepair at the end of the 19th century. In 1894 a restoration/reconstruction started and the castle got its current shape.

View from the top of the Gravensteen

Dusty shopping window

An oasis of quietness in an oasis of beauty

Must be my favorite shop in Ghent

Sherman Cahal · #2 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 3:00 PM**

Such a great mix of buildings - old and new! Thanks for sharing.

Yankeebiscuitfan · #3 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 3:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherman Cahal

Such a great mix of buildings - old and new! Thanks for sharing.

My pleasure.

MolsonExport · #4 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 3:58 PM**

Drop dead gorgeous. I visited Bruges several years ago (photo thread somewhere in the annals of SSP), and there are striking similarities.

Yankeebiscuitfan · #5 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 4:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Drop dead gorgeous. I visited Bruges several years ago (photo thread somewhere in the annals of SSP), and there are striking similarities.

True, but many of the buildings of Ghent are around the sixteenth or seventeenth century, while many of the buildings of Bruges are from medieval times. I posted a thread about Bruges as well about two years ago.

SignalHillHiker · #6 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 4:24 PM**

So... much... ornamentation...

Yet it still manages to seem severe rather than fun (like much of Germany) or tacky (like St. Petersburg).

Great scenes!

MTLskyline · #7 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 6:19 PM**

Great shots! Did you go inside the Gravensteen?

biscuit · #8 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankeebiscuitfan

True, but many of the buildings of Ghent are around the sixteenth or seventeenth century, while many of the buildings of Bruges are from medieval times. I posted a thread about Bruges as well about two years ago.

I heard from people in Ghent, so maybe it's not true, that many of the buildings in Bruges are from the 18th and 19th century with the facades built in the medieval style to match what remained of the old town. It was done to appeal to tourist who started visiting the city around that time.

Between the two I really preferred Ghent as it seemed like a real city where tourism wasn't the obvious main industry.

Yankeebiscuitfan · #9 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 6:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTLskyline

Great shots! Did you go inside the Gravensteen?

Yes I did. The shots of the town from above, were taken from the top of the Gravensteen.

Rico Rommheim · #10 Posted **Apr 30, 2013, 8:30 PM**

A time when cities were built to inspire.

Beef_Supreme · #11 Posted **May 1, 2013, 1:43 AM**

awesome city, all of the older buildings along the river are beautiful

Yankeebiscuitfan · #12 Posted **May 1, 2013, 4:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

A time when cities were built to inspire.

All I know is that those big houses with the ornaments were built to show off their wealth.

Ayreonaut · #13 Posted **May 1, 2013, 5:17 AM**

Appears to be quite pleasant, as is the rest of the country. Thanks for posting!

Yankeebiscuitfan · #14 Posted **May 1, 2013, 6:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayreonaut

Appears to be quite pleasant, as is the rest of the country. Thanks for posting!

The landscape of Belgium isn't really beautiful IMHO. One exception: the Ardennes.

But the cities are gorgeous. Somehow they did a very good job in preserving them.