Ghent

In the centre of Ghent you can look in any direction and see wonderful scenes of historic buildings. It is one of the finest cities of Belgium and indeed Europe.

We needed to go from our Industrial dock to the centre. Once there there are just so many sights. The churches and cathedrals, the guild halls and public buildings as well as sculptures and frescos. There are also modern buildings although the locals don't seem to appreciate them.

                                

                                                                  A city of beauty.

The old and the new live happily alongside each other. The locals say why spend all this money on a new building that we don't need! More about this to follow!

Some locals say that this building is just a roof! "What purpose does it serve" they ask. It does provide for an interesting contrast and for debate.

                                 Sometimes the beauty is in the detail such as this fresco.

The Cathedral is not as large as the one in Antwerp and does not have the number of works by Rubens. It does house many art works including the famous Alter piece by Van Eyck.

 

                                                  Sculpture in the Cathedral

                                                           Windows

The Van Eyck was closed at the time we visited but we did see it last year.  Check our blog from last July. This is a copy!

Down in the crypt there were displays including some of the lace worn by the Bishops.

                                             Ghent and Bruges are famous for their lace.

We returned in the afternoon and it was like a different city. The sun was out and so were the locals.

Look at the difference in the sky. We climbed this belltower..some of the way in an elevator!

                                          This dragon once lived on the roof of the tower!

The views were what the climb is all about and we had a sunny afternoon.

                                                   Sun worshippers at the Cathedral!

                                 And they also have a castle. What a great place to visit!

These two photas show the same area in the morning and the afternoon. What a contrast.

There is a lot more to this city so just a few contrasting photos to finish.

                                                          You can buy a money dress!

                                                            Drink this beer if you are game!

                                                  possibly at The Hotsy Totsy

                                                                    or the Missy Sippy!