This was Ghent's Medieval harbour site. Herb Quay is lined with 12C-17C houses of pure architectural styles. Especially note the 16C Masons' Hall, 15C first Grain Weighers' Hall, Romanesque Scaldian Stage Hall, the smallest house in town called Toll ..

The massive outline of the 91m-high belfry, topped by a dragon, symbolises the power of Ghent's medieval guilds. Inside, the chamber was the seat of the town’s privileges and liberties The upper platform offers a fine view of the city. Built in the 1..

This castle was built by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, in 1180. It was fully restored in the early 20C. Its architecture drew inspiration from Crusader forts in Syria. Inside the curtain wall, visitors can see the Romanesque gallery and fine r..

Despite various influences, this Gothic cathedral gives an overall impression of harmony and solemn grace. The top of the tower offers a wide view of Ghent and its surroundings. Inside , the 16C nave is sober but harmonious, with its ribbed vaul..

This former Cistercian abbey was founded in the 13C. This set of brick buildings dates from the 14C to 18C. The rooms overlooking the cloister are furnished in various styles and illustrate life in Ghent from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution...

This museum lies on the edge of Citadelpark and its fine bandstand (1885). It contains rich collections of ancient and modern art, from the 15C to the first half of the 20C. Note the works by Hieronymus Bosch , Brueghel the Younger, Rubens, James En..

This museum, housed in the former Flower Show Hall, illustrates changes in art from the 1950s to the present day. Its director and curator is Jan Hoet, the "enfant terrible" of the contemporary arts world, who organised the Documenta IX Exh..

Work began in 1200 on this imposing Tournai-stone church dedicated to St Nicholas of Myre, patron of merchants and boatmen. It was remodelled several times until the 17C. Restoration work started in the second half of the 19C is still in progress, th..

This museum displays the changes in decorative arts and design from the 16C to the present day. It occupies the old 18C Coninck Mansion, to which a new wing has been added for the modern collections. The 16C and 17C collections include fine furnitu..

Work began on the Town Hall in 1518, was interrupted in 1535 and only resumed 60 years later, thus explaining its two different styles. The 16C Charter House is late Gothic, while the early-17C Alderman's House is Italian Renaissance-inspired. Th..

The museum is housed in the cottages and late-Gothic chapel of the 14C Almshouse . Note the inner courtyard lined with white houses and their tall dormer windows. The museum illustrates Flemish popular arts and traditions, notably via reconstructe..

It was here that the sovereigns of Flanders would address the people and that weavers and wool workers fought each other in May 1345. A statue stands on the square in honour of a victim of this strife, Jacob Van Artevelde. There are fine buildings, s..

This museum set in an old cotton mill recalls the city's industrial past. Note the plants in the garden that were once used to dye the cloth. The changes brought about by three industrial revolutions are illustrated by various machines, objects, docu..

The quiet enclosed convent founded by Joanna of Constantinople in 1234 has remained unchanged since the 17C. The charming brick houses with small front gardens flank the church and two meadows.

Korenmarkt is the heart of the Cuve district and a popular meeting place with many restaurants and cafés. In summer, relax at a terrace and enjoy watching the bustle of daily life and shoppers walking by.

This bridge provides a stunning view of the old town's buildings and façades. Turn round to admire St Nicholas' towers, the belfry and St Bavo in a row. From the centre of the bridge, to the right, note St Michael's late-Gothic apse ajoining the ol..

The Triumphant is the bell that replaced the old belfry bell, which bore the motto: "This bell is named Roeland; when it shakes it scatters thunder over the area". It was split in 1914 and taken from the belfry to here.

Note the Great Butcher's Shop (1404), with its huge oak beams and crow-stepped dormer windows, to the left of the vegetable market. The wooden stalls leaning on the front were used for selling offal. The corner 't Galgenhuyseken was where the gallo..

This magnificent Medieval residence called Back Sickle House forms a picturesque 16C complex, with turrets and an arcaded courtyard. It houses the Music Academy since 1900. Note a series of old façades in nearby Hoogpoortstraat.

Opposite this neo-Renaissance building (1897), in the middle of an ornamental pond, stands a memorial to Jan Frans Willems (1793-1846), the "Father of the Flemish Movement".