GHENT: A Few Hours Wandering Around

July 03, 2016  •  Leave a Comment

Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon Photography


GHENT - GIVE IT A CHANCE


It's an overcast day with on and off rain, but we're only in Belgium for the weekend, so from Brussels to Bruges (for a couple of hours),  it's back on the train for about 20 minutes to Ghent. Another city that we kind of race through (still have to make it to Antwerp today!), but it's one I would definitely come back to and give Ghent the proper time it deserves.There was no plan for Ghent. just wandered around and happily came across beautiful medieval buildings and a ton of gorgeous old churches. 

 

Ok.... I don't think I've ever seen so many bikes parked in one spot (Ghent train station)Ok.... I don't think I've ever seen so many bikes parked in one spot (Ghent train station) Ok.... I don't think I've ever seen so many bikes parked in one spot (Ghent train station)


Seems everyone in Ghent bikes to the train station and off they go to wherever else in Belgium they need to get toSeems everyone in Ghent bikes to the train station and off they go to wherever else in Belgium they need to get to Seems everyone in Ghent bikes to the train station and off they go to wherever else in Belgium they need to get to​


Sint-Macharius kerk Sint-Macharius kerk Sint-Macharius kerk ​


Flowers and stufFlowers and stuf Flowers and stuf​f


A little shabby looking... but I love it!A little shabby looking... but I love it! A little shabby looking... but I love it!


Colourful row of houses on Sint-Joriskaai, right by the Leie (or Lys) RiverColourful row of houses on Sint-Joriskaai, right by the Leie (or Lys) River Colourful row of houses on Sint-Joriskaai, right by the Leie (or Lys) River​


Old school mail slotOld school mail slot Old school mail slot​


Sint-JacobskerkSint-Jacobskerk Sint-Jacobskerk


Time for a quick coffee at Huize ColletteTime for a quick coffee at Huize Collette Time for a quick coffee at Huize Collette​


Super cute café with cool displaysSuper cute café with cool displays Super cute café with cool displays​


YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...

BELFORT VAN GHENT
One of the three medieval towers that dominate Ghent's city centre, the 91-metre tall Belfry sits on the west side of Sint-Baaskathedraal (St. Bavo's Cathedral). Together with the buildings (cathedrals) attached to it, the Belfry belongs to the set of belfries of Belgium inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. For a few 's you climb up a whole load of steps to the top and have amazing views. Or if you're lazy, there's also an elevator that will hall you're lazy but up there.   
 

CITY PAVILION
Old meets modern at one of Ghent's newest buildings made from wood, glass and concrete - this sucker stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of all this medievalness. It's a cool design on its own, but standing in the middle of the old Poeljemarkt - not so good.  
 

SINT-NIKLAASKERK
This 13th-century Scheldt Gothic-style is probably one the most beautiful historic buildings in the city. Didn't go in - though I hear it's quite impressive - but admiring it from the outside was enough for me.

POSTGEBOUW
Another incredibly impressive building, you'd figure it's go to have some sort of impressive title. Turns out it's the Old Post Office, now a shopping mall. 

SINT-MICHIELSKERK
Yet another impressive church in Ghent, this 14th-century one stands at the far end of its namesake bridge (St.Michael's Bridge) right by the Leie River.  

GROOT VLEESHUIS 
Known in English as the Meat House or the Butchers' Hall, from medieval times to the end of the 19th century, this was the main spot for meat (one of the only places to regulate the trade to ensure quality of products back in the day). Today, it's a market for local specialties, flower shops and cafés. 

 

Het Belfort van GentHet Belfort van Gent Belfort van Gent​


Underneath Ghent's City PavilionUnderneath Ghent's City Pavilion Underneath Ghent's City Pavilion​


Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicolas' Church)Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicolas' Church) Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicolas' Church)​


Postgebouw - Old post office built in 1903Postgebouw - Old post office built in 1903 Postgebouw - Old post office built in 1903


Medieval cutenessMedieval cuteness Medieval cuteness​


Korenmarkt GentKorenmarkt Gent Korenmarkt Gent​


Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas' Church)Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas' Church) Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas' Church)


Sint-Michielskerk (Saint Michael's Church)Sint-Michielskerk (Saint Michael's Church) Sint-Michielskerk (Saint Michael's Church)


Somewhere along the Leie River (or Lys in French)Somewhere along the Leie River (or Lys in French) Graslei - along the Leie River (or Lys in French)​


Groot Vleeshuis (Old Meat Market)Groot Vleeshuis (Old Meat Market) Groot Vleeshuis (The Meat House)


Sint-Veerleplein - the oldest square in GhentSint-Veerleplein - the oldest square in Ghent Sint-Veerleplein - the oldest square in Ghent​


YOU'VE GOTTA SEE...


GRAVENSTEEN
An imposing landmark in the city centre, the "Castle of the Counts" is a beautiful stone castle, complete with a moat and everything. Didn't have time for a visit this time around, but it's on the list for next time. 

VRIJDAGMARKT
The Friday Market was the former life of the city - markets, celebrations, festivals well as fights all took place here. In the middle there's a statue of Jacob van Artevelde, and it's a cute people watching spot. 

GHENT JAZZ FESTIVAL
Honestly had no clue we were there right in the midst of the Ghent Jazz Festival. This annual festival is held is July for two weeks with a ton renowned artists from Belgium and abroad performing around the city. 

 

Gravensteen Castle - Ghent's 12th-century stone castleGravensteen Castle - Ghent's 12th-century stone castle Gravensteen Castle - Ghent's 12th-century stone castle​


Checking out the stores around Sint-VeerlepleinChecking out the stores around Sint-Veerleplein Checking out the stores around Sint-Veerleplein​


Might be something worth grabbing in here1Might be something worth grabbing in here1 Might be something worth grabbing in here!


An accidental snap, but I love it anyway!An accidental snap, but I love it anyway! An accidental snap, but I love it anyway!


Cute terraces seem to pop up randomly along the Leie RiverCute terraces seem to pop up randomly along the Leie River Cute terraces seem to pop up randomly along the Leie River​


These guys snagged a super cute spotThese guys snagged a super cute spot These guys snagged a super cute spot​


Another cute spot by the riverAnother cute spot by the river Another cute spot by the river​


Vrijdagmarkt - The famous Friday Market Square with the Jacob van Artevelde statueVrijdagmarkt - The famous Friday Market Square with the Jacob van Artevelde statue Vrijdagmarkt - The famous Friday Market Square with the Jacob van Artevelde statue​


On our way back to the train station, we come across live Jazz shows.... and we're just now realizing that it's Ghent Jazz Festival timeOn our way back to the train station, we come across live Jazz shows.... and we're just now realizing that it's Ghent Jazz Festival time

On our way back to the train station, we come across live Jazz shows.... and we're just now realizing that it's Ghent Jazz Festival time



Which explains the sounds of jazz and the tons of spectatorsWhich explains the sounds of jazz and the tons of spectators Which explains the sounds of jazz and the tons of spectators



Like this dudeLike this dude Like this dude​


Music and dancing, by the riverMusic and dancing, by the river

Music and dancing, by the river


Love his big-a$$ bow-tieLove his big-a$$ bow-tie

Love his big-a$$ bow-tie


And their funky flowery bathing caps!And their funky flowery bathing caps!

And their funky flowery bathing caps!


Back at the train station - next stop - ANTWERP!Back at the train station - next stop - ANTWERP!

Back at the train station - next stop - ANTWERP!


Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON


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