Heinblog: Ghent

Ghent was the biggest city in Europe north of the Alps after Paris in the 13th century. A statue of Jacob van Artevelde, who led Flanders to prosperity during the 100 Years War, dominates the main square.

Mad Meg is the largest extant bombard from medieval Europe. Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, commissioned the cannon.

Ghent has a lot of fun town houses.

The Gravensteen was the residence of the Count of Flanders from 1180 to 1353.

It had an excellent audio guide, narrated by this strange rabbit.

The Gravensteen has great views of the city; it was meant to intimidate the burghers residing below.

Ghent's history was pretty macabre.

The oubliette

Ghent was built at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers.

St. Michael's Church

Ghent and Bruges were supplanted in importance by Antwerp and Brussels in the 15th century.

St. Nicholas' Church

The church is lined with family and guild insignia.

Those statues are pretty excited about tacos.

The Belfry of Ghent is worth a climb / elevator ride.

The dragon on top of the belfry is from 1377, and is the mascot for Gulden Draak beer.

Modern technology, old bell

This giant music box plays songs on the bells throughout the day.

The belfry has great views of Saint Bavo's Cathedral

It's pretty narrow up there.

Nice family crest

Saint Bavo's Cathedral is where Charles V was baptized. He grew up in Ghent.

Sculpt me like one of your French cardinals.

St. Bavo's Cathedral is home to the Ghent Altarpiece, plundered by the French and Germans alike. Look at them adore that mystic lamb.

Hmmm

Gandalf?

City Hall

Ghent's ruin was ultimately brough about by the Eighty Years' War, which devastated the Catholic Netherlands (Belgium), and led to the rise of the Protestant Netherlands.