Ghent 54978

[January 2, 2019] Last month designJAAP has made architectonic photos of the historical town of Ghent In Belgian Flanders: Ghent.

Much of the city’s medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent has established a blend between comfort of living and history; it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including Saint-Jacob’s church, Saint-Nicolas’ church, Saint Michael’s church and St. Stefanus.

The well-known Ghent Altarpiece, a 15th century painting by Hubert and Jan Van Eyck in Saint Bavo Cathedral.

In the 19th century Ghent’s most famous architect, Louis Roelandt, built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods.

The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.

Here is an architectonic impression of the town of Ghent (in dutch)