We Got to Ghent

Ghent is a beautiful historical city in Belgium.  It sits at the confluence of 2 rivers and its buildings show off their antique flemish architecture including the iconic medieval stepped gables.  Above is the Graslei area which has become the largest pedestrian shopping zone in Europe.  We took a really good self-guided walking tour of the historic center with 24 designated stops along the way.  It was a great way to get to know the city on our own terms. We also took a boat ride through the many canals in the city.  The oarsman was bilingual and described the historical sites as we motored slowly through the canals. 

We had just spent 2 days in Antwerp while Pete was doing business.  I was busy with Pete's associate's wife Pascal and her best friend Jill, from Philadelphia.  They picked me up at the hotel, took me to lunch, and we spent the afternoon shopping!  How fun to have local women who know their way around to visit the best boutiques in town. 

Our trip to Ghent was not planned but Pascal found us a hotel right in the center of town, so we left Antwerp on Friday and spent the rest of the weekend in Ghent.  Our hotel was located right on one of the canals.  After check-in, we decided to take the walking tour... but only after tasting one of the many locally-brewed Belgium beers. 

This is where we started - a famous beer distribution warehouse turned into a great bar.  Where the boat is parked are holding chambers for beer kegs from the old days.

The tour started here at the old Fish Market which opened this door in 1689.  Just beyond me is the Castle of the Counts.



This is the gorgeous entrance to the Fish Market with Neptune high above keeping watch. 

Inside the Castle of the Counts.  Nowhere else in the world can you visit such a massive castle right in the heart of the city.  It was built in 1180 and still has its guillotine intact.




These two little buildings with beautiful architecture form the entrance to the medeival city with windy, narrow streets.



Pete loved this window with a sample of the many beers produced in this small country. 

A picture from the bridge of the Graslei and the Korenlei which together formed the first trading port back in the 11th century.

Another portion of the pedestrian shopping zone:  Emilia Braun Plein.

The Belfry forms part of the well-known skyline of Ghent.  This is the 2nd tallest tower there and is topped by a dragon who oversees the population of the city.  From 1180 to 1869, bells would chime from here to warn of invaders or fires.

St. Baafs Cathedral houses all types of artwork...

...including this amazing pulpit.

Sunday morning on the Graslei. 

On St. Michael's Bridge overlooking the Graslei area of the inner city.

Coinciding with our visit was a famous art exhibit called "Track" with many pieces of art displayed throughout the city.  This is one of the outdoor pieces.  In large channel letters the words describe what US soldiers in Vietnam were instructed to do:  Search and Destroy.

This a view from our balcony at our hotel. 

Pete saw the moon peaking out one night and captured the stepped gabled facades in the evening.

Tschus!!