Showing 1-15 of 15 results
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Alijn House
The Alijn House occupies a set of beautifully restored almshouses in the city's heart. The museum's theme focuses on life as it was at the start of the 20th century. It's all very quaint, even more so on Sundays when puppets take centre stage.
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Art Centre of St Peter's Abbey
The Art Centre of St Peter's Abbey is a venue for art and culture exhibitions in the setting of a former abbey. Well worth a look if something's on at the time of your visit.
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Belfort
Stupendous views over Ghent unfurl from the top of this Unesco-listed belfry built in the 14th century. Its enormous Kloke Roeland bell was used to warn the town of enemy invasion and some 54 bells ring out across the city from its carillon (set of bells). You can scale the steps or take the small elevator (though it doesn't accommodate wheelchairs).
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Belfry
This 14th-century World Heritage-listed belfry rises from the old Lakenhalle (cloth hall); the entrance is around the back of the tourist office. As is to be expected, it affords spectacular views of the city - use the lift or the stairs.
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Design Museum
The Design Museum is one of Ghent's little-known gems. It comprises two sections: furnishings from the Renaissance to the 19th century adorn the front part of the building, whereas 20th-century art - everything from a Victor Horta-designed Art Nouveau wall cabinet to '70s psychedelic sofas - takes centre stage in the glass-covered rear wing.
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Dr Guislain Museum
Anyone unnerved by One Flew Over the Cuckoos' Nest should avoid it -this former psychiatric hospital, northwest of the city centre, showcases some chilling forms of treatment, and also features a collection of art by 'outsiders'.
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Gravensteen
The counts of Flanders wielded their power from Ghent's 12th-century castle in the centre of town. Rising up out of the water, its square-cut towers and ramparts are the stuff of storybooks. To get a feel for its slings-and-arrows history, rent the evocative multimedia guide (around €3 ).
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Huis van Alijn
The Alijn House occupies a set of beautifully restored almshouses in the heart of the city. Life as it was at the start of the 20th century is the museum's theme, with rooms devoted to crafts, leisure time and religion. It's all very quaint and well worth a wander.
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Museum of Contemporary Art
Ghent's highly regarded Museum of Contemporary Art, better known by its acronym, SMAK, is located south of the city centre. It opened in the 1990s under the direction of Jan Hoet, one of Europe's most famous museum curators. It's a huge place and you'll need the map handed out at reception to find any of the big names.
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Museum of Fine Arts
Ghent's Museum of Fine Arts is expected to reopen in 2007 following restoration. In the meantime, some of its collection is exhibited in St Baafskathedraal and at SMAK. The museum has a good collection of Flemish Primitives and a couple of typically nightmarish works by Hieronymus Bosch - including one of Bosch's most famous pieces, De Kruisdraging (Bearing of the Cross), depicting Christ surrounded by hideous mocking characters.
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Museum Voor Schone Kunsten
Fresh from an extensive renovation, the Museum of Fine Arts contains a varied collection of early and modern art including some Flemish Primitives and a couple of typically nightmarish works by Hieronymus Bosch including De Kruisdraging (Bearing of the Cross; c1480), depicting hideous characters mocking Christ.
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Museum Voor Vormgeving
Behind its 18th-century façade, Ghent's Design Museum displays furnishings from the Renaissance to today in a striking modern space. Art Deco, Art Nouveau and retro (including some lurid '70s sofas) are all represented, and there are regular temporary exhibits (sometimes attracting an additional fee).
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St-Baafskathedraal & The Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb
Flemish Primitive artist Jan Van Eyck's richly detailed 20-panel altarpiece, De Aanbidding van het Lam Gods (The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb; 1432) is one of the earliest-known oil paintings in existence and the highlight of Ghent's 22-altar, stained-glass-adorned cathedral. A rare depiction of God the Father can be seen on the altarpiece's upper tier, while the lower tier features the eponymous lamb, symbolising Christ's sacrifice. The altarpiece's survival defies the odds - see .
Read more about St-Baafskathedraal & The Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb
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Stedelijk Museum Voor Actuele Kunst (SMAK)
The motivation for many people's visit to Ghent is its Museum of Contemporary Art, a.k.a. SMAK. It holds a highly regarded permanent collection of local works (including Karel Appel, Pierre Alechinsky and Panamarenko) and works of international celebrities (like Christo, Warhol and Hockney), though of late it's been packing these away to devote its space to single major exhibits (such as Paul McCarthy's blood-spattered installations), so it's worth checking the programme.
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The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Formidable queues form to see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb ( De Aanbidding van het Lams God ), a lavish representation of medieval religious thinking that is one of the earliest-known oil paintings. Completed in 1432, it was painted as an altarpiece by Flemish Primitive artist Jan Van Eyck, and has 20 panels (originally the interior panels were displayed only on important religious occasions, but these days they're always open to view).
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
