Ghent

My original plan when we were in Brussels was to take a trip, via train, to Antwerp and another trip, also via train, to either Luxembourg or Cologne, Germany. However, Britt nixed any plans for independent travel as she had lost all confidence that I could find our way to anywhere. So, today we took a combined bus tour to Ghent and Bruges, both places I went to with Eddie last year but great places to revisit. The bus picked us up at the Sheraton along with Tammy who was also staying at our hotel. She was here with her husband who was in the U.S. military and in Brussels for a NATO conference. She was about Britt’s age. This was our first stop in Ghent, a square called the Friday Market (or Vrijdagmarkt in Dutch). The statue is of Jacob Van Artevelde, who led a rebellion against the King of France (whose rule Ghent was under) in the 1300s. He became the hero of Ghent, but was then murdered a few years later by the people he had helped.

Ghent

Ghent

A bit about Belgium. There are three official languages in Belgium––French (spoken in Brussels), Dutch (spoken in Flanders), and Germany (spoken near the German border). In Brussels, all signs are in both French and Dutch. In Flanders, where Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp are, the signs are only in Dutch. In these three cities in Flanders, the historic parts of them are of medieval architecture in addition to Flemish renaissance. They are all very interesting cities and you can feel that you are in a separate country while in Flanders. This is another photo in the Friday Market (called this as there is a market here every Friday!).

Ghent

Ghent

Another photo of the Friday Market.

Ghent

Ghent

Another photo of the Friday Market.

Ghent

Ghent

Still another photo of the Friday Market.

Ghent

Ghent

Our tour guide started leading us through the streets of Ghent. We soon realized that she was going to get us through Ghent in record time––I was always lagging behind as I was trying to snap some photos and then trying to catch up with the group. She told us that if anyone got lost (couldn’t keep up with her?), that they were to take the train back to Brussels as she wasn’t going to wait for anyone. My suggestion––take the train to Ghent by yourself and spend the whole day here. This is what Eddie and I did (but, then, Eddie was pretty good getting us places). Photo of an interesting postal box.

Ghent

Ghent

Street scene in Ghent.

Ghent

Ghent

Another street scene in Ghent. This is a medieval canon, called the Dulle Griet, and is from the 15th century.

Ghent

Ghent

Another street scene in Ghent.

Ghent

Ghent

Another street scene in Ghent.

Ghent

Ghent

There’s Britt.

Ghent

Ghent

Another street scene.

Ghent

Ghent

Another street scene.

Ghent

Ghent

The canals in Ghent are absolutely beautiful. When Eddie and I were there, we took a wonderful canal cruise, but this was not part of our tour. However, I was able to take some nice photos along the canals.

Ghent

Ghent

Along the canals.

Ghent

Ghent

Another along the canals. You can see the Bierhus in the photo. Eddie and I ate a wonderful lunch at the tables to the right of the Bierhus. We had ham and Trappist cheese sandwiches and the ambience here was so pleasant that we could have sat here all day. Today, the tables were empty––the season was over. Remembering being here with Eddie was both sad but also one of good feelings. I was very glad that I had a chance to return here and would like to do so again.

Ghent

Ghent

Another photo of the canals.

Ghent

Ghent

You can see a bit of the Castle of the Counts (Het Gravensteen) here. Visiting it was not part of our tour.

Ghent

Ghent

The only real view of the castle that we were given. Eddie and I toured to whole castle and climbed up to its ramparts. It also had a big dungeon. It dates back to the end of the 12th century and the nobles built it as a refuge from their subjects.

Ghent

Ghent

Another canal view.

Ghent

Ghent

The town hall (the Stadhuis), early 16th century. We are back to the area of the Fish Market.

Ghent

Ghent

The Belfort with St. Nicolas (St. Niklaaskerk) church on the left and the Lakenhalle (cloth hall) in the front of it. It was the center of the medieval trade here.

Ghent

Ghent

Another view of St. Nicolas.

Ghent

Ghent

St. Baafskathedraal Cathedral. It started being built in the 1200s, but took several hundred years to build.

Ghent

Ghent

The next photos are of the inside of St. Baafskathedraal Cathedral. In a separate chapel hangs the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by Jan van Eyck, which is considered to be one of Europe’s greatest paintings. No photo were allowed to be taken of it.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral.

Ghent

Ghent

Inside the Cathedral. The Cathedral was our last stop in Ghent. We reboarded the bus and headed to Bruges.

Ghent