After our trip to Bruges, we didn’t go straight back to Brussels, but stopped in Ghent for a few hours on the way. Although we only had a short time, the detour was well worth it. We took a long walk in the city center and saw how they were preparing for the holidays. There’s something special about that city, the way the old buildings and canals meet the Christmas lights.
Ghent (or Gent in Dutch) is one of the most exciting cities in Belgium, where medieval glory and modern, vibrant university life are in perfect balance.
Ghent was not just a beautiful small town in the past, but also one of the most important economic centers in Europe.
In the 13th century, Ghent was one of the largest cities in Europe after London and Paris. It owed its wealth to the wool and textile trade; the entire continent lined up for Flemish fabrics.
The people of Ghent were famous for their love of freedom and rebellious spirit. They even confronted their own rulers, including the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who was born in the city, on several occasions to defend their rights.
One of the most important paintings in the world, the Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mysterious Lamb) by the Van Eyck brothers, is located here, a milestone in Renaissance art.
Today, Ghent no longer lives from textiles, but its importance has not diminished at all, and it has become one of the most dynamic cities in Belgium, a true university city. The University of Ghent (UGent) is one of the world’s leading universities, and more than 70,000 students live here, which constantly brings fresh and youthful energy to the historic walls. The city is one of the European centers of biotechnology and the IT sector.
It is also home to one of the largest car-free city centers in Europe. They are famous for their “meat-free Thursday” (Donderdag Veggiedag) initiative, which promotes sustainable eating.
While Bruges is often considered a “living museum”, Ghent is a living city where history is part of everyday life. The guild houses on the banks of the Graslei and Korenlei, the Gravensteen (castle of the counts) and the three monumental towers (Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry and the Church of Saint Nicholas) offer a sight that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Ghent today is a place that has managed to retain its medieval grandeur while becoming one of the most progressive and livable cities in Europe.
