At the confluence of the rivers Leie and Scheldt is the city of Gent. However, with such an intricate system of canals, it is difficult to denote a river from a canal when walking the ancient city. It is probably only important to note that the system of waterways enabled the city to trade goods all along the northern European continent. At its economic height, the city became rich and an important trading partner with the Hanseatic League, which more or less ruled trade along that same line of coast.

Gent

The contemporary city of Gent is a confusing mix of old and new. It appears that the citizens of Gent do not make building decisions on historical estetic. Therefore, you will often find modern, boxey and bland buildings next to the older architectures, which are a bit bland in and of themselves, but maintain artistic quality to them the newer buildings lack.

Getting There

From Brugge we took the InterCity train to Dampoort train station, a dismal if almost forgotten stop (from the looks of it) on the Flemish rail system. It is actually interesting to note that it is so forgotten, you must use a phone application to call a taxi or use the bus system, since there is no line of taxis outside waiting to help you with your travels. Hence, from there we walked the twenty-five to thirty minutes with luggage in tow to our hotel in the center of town.

River Leie Waterfront

Cutting through the city is the canal of the Leie River. It separates the Kronenlei and the Graslei, the waterfront houses on either side or banks of the canal.

Ibis Hotel Centrum

Situated right next to the Cathedral of Saint Bavo is the Ibis Hotel Centrum. A step above the Flemish Dinant version. Here you are able to get more towels if you so choose and they offer free water each day. The biggest problem with this hotel is they call it a room, but there isn’t any room, it is VERY small.

Room – Ibis Hotel Centrum – Gent, Belgium

Bathroom – Ibis Hotel Centrum – Gent, Belgium

Gravensteen – Castle Of The Counts

The Castle of the Counts, from the Counts of Flanders building it, is centrally located on the Lieve where it joins the Leie by the Groetenmarkt. It is a typical medieval fortress which contains the usual battlements, parapets and keep. Almost the entire is reconstructed after it was sold and repurposed for other industrial needs in the city. It was later bought back by the city and turned into a tourist item after much work.

Southwest Side – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

West Side – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Northwest Side – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Entrance – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Inside – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Cellar and Main Keep – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Cellar Stairs – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Keep Room – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Windows – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Hall – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

It is however sparsely outfitted with relics or exhibits. There is one room that contains period weaponry that was used during those time. But most of the rooms have sketched wall hangings and in some cases flags adorning the ceiling, but aside from those, no furniture or other trappings. It is therefore advised to purchase the headset and indulge in the one hour walk-through tour of the castle.

Exhibits of Weaponry – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Large Upper Room – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Large Upper Room Fireplace – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Roof – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Some Disrepair – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Reception Hall – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Outside – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Outside View – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Main Entrance and Ticket Office – Castle of the Counts – Gravensteen – Gent, Belgium

Graffiti Street

Another narrow street in another city dedicated to the local fauna getting their adolescent artistic urges out. Though a few examples are extraordinary, most of it was just colorful wasted paint.

Other Sights And Monuments

There are many other sights and monuments throughout the city that speak of the city’s history. For example the old Rabot, or ancient gate to the city.

Van Eyck Brothers Monument – Gent, Belgium

Lieven Bauwen’s Monument – Gent, Belgium

Saint Nicholas’ Church – Saint Michel’s Bridge – Gent, Belgium

Old Post Office – Kroenenmarkt – Gent, Belgium

Jacob van Artevelde Monument – Vrijdagmarkt – Gent, Belgium

Bridge of Imperial Delights – Lieve Canal – Gent, Belgium

Sire van Maldegem – Sint Veerleplein – Gent, Belgium

Antigua Lonja de Pescado Oude Vismijn – Sint Veerleplein – Gent, Belgium

Eclectic House Row – Baudelostraat – Gent, Belgium

Churches And Cathedrals

There are two cathedrals in Gent, each one has its unique charm. There are also a number of churches that may also be visited, but times are restricted and you must check the schedules.

Saint Nicholas Church

More in the center of town and off the Korenmarkt is Saint Nicholas’ church of Christmas fame. An obviously underused and underkept church in the vicinity which is mostly grey outside and inside. There are many things boarded up when we visited, though no active renovations appeared to have been started. It is actually quite a shame since this is one of the oldest buildings in the city and one of the oldest churches which was built in the Scheldt Gothic style, which is uncommon.

Nave – Saint Nicholas’ Church – Gent, Belgium

Cross – Saint Nicholas’ Church – Gent, Belgium

Pulpit – Saint Nicholas’ Church – Gent, Belgium

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is perched on the small hill just off-center to town and across the street from our hotel. It is of typical cathedral design and has a very interest ambulatory and apse, which of course you have pay to go in and see, don’t underestimate the Belgian clergy on how to make a buck.

Nave – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Windows – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Stained Glass – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Pulpit – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Bronz Model – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Stained Glass Transept – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Altar at the Cross – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Altar – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Windows in Ambulatory – Saint Bavos Cathedral – Gent, Belgium

Saint Michel’s Cathedral

Located on Leie River and by the eponymous bridge is Saint Michel’s Cathedral. Though practically none of the original cathedral’s interior remains, its reconstruction through the twentieth century completely restored the Gothic elements it once had.

Entrance – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Nave – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Organ – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Stained Glass – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Side Chapel – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Ambulatory – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Altar – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Knights Templar Chapel – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Saint Michel Statue – Saint Michel’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Saint Jacob’s Church

An out of the way church beyond the Vrijdagmarkt is Saint Jacob’s Catholic Church and is an example of French Romanesque style. The interior over time has gone through many other styles, including Gothic and Baroque, only to settle on the neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic styles we see today.

Nave – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Altar – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Organ – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Side Chapel – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Pulpit – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Side View – Saint Jacob’s Church – Gent, Belgium

Restaurants

I still do not know what it is, but restaurants in Belgium are a hit and miss adventure. Never in our travels have we come across three separate towns or cities in any country where you really have no idea what to expect heading out for lunch or dinner. The most common issue is after walking ten minutes to get there you find it is closed and perhaps not just for the evening, it may be closed for good; it’s often hard to tell some times.

Typical Encounter We’re Closed – Gent, Belgium

So far our experience with food and restaurants in Belgium is: the service is often lacking, the food is okay, cleaniness, the restaurant itself is often closed (especially in the middle of the week, which of course must be due to some other economic force.)

Trattoria Della Mamma

One of the better restaurants in Gent and it is reflected in the price you pay for items on the menu. It has a modern welcoming atmosphere and they are fairly attentive with the service. The food was tasty and the house wine was enjoyable.

Fuselli with Pesto and Bean – Trattoria della Mamma – Gent, Belgium

Porta Alta

A non-italian Italian restaurant, that is, it serves italian food but is not run by italians. We ate here for lunch and it was okay, nothing to write home about and the price was fair.

Tashun Chinese Restaurant

A restaurant that has seen better days, though the food is freshly made and remains quite enjoyable. It does not seem to be frequented to often and may be suffering from the same malady all restaurants are suffering from, the price of food. I can commend the Pork with Vegetable dish, it was quite tasty because of the pork and made an excellent sauce.

Entrance – Tashun Chinese Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Wonton Soup – Tashun Chinese Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Stir-Fry Vegetables and Stir-Fry Pork with Vegetables – Tashun Chinese Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Inside – Tashun Chinese Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Da Adriano

We wanted pizza and ended up here because our first choice was CLOSED. The waiter wasn’t not happy to see us, since he was the only one waiting tables and they needed to be cleaned. However, after 10 minutes we were seated (we stood by the table waiting for it to be cleaned as he directed.) After that, it was not too bad, we shared a pizza which was good and some wine and had an enjoyable meal. However, we noticed that when people entered, he was very selective about who he seated, not sure what was going on there, but be prepared if you visit this establishment.

Inside – Da Adriano Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Sorelle

An Italian fusion style restaurant is Sorelle, or the sisters, on Onderbergen. A renovated house with an inviting charm and staff, Sorelle has a short menu which is not short on taste. The tomato soup and baked Italian Casserole with vegetables and tagliatelle is very good. Their selection for house red wine was also very good, a clean crisp taste, not sour with a good finish. They of course have other Belgian leaning dishes and desserts for local tastes, if you choose to go that route.

Entrance – Sorelle Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Menu – Sorelle Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Tomato Soup – Sorelle Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Lasagna Aubergine – Sorelle Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Italiaanse Ovenschoten – Sorelle Restaurant – Gent, Belgium

Luxalad Restaurant

A mexican themed restaurant that specializes in salads and other tasty mexican dishes. We came here to get take-out on our last evening in Gent, since we had a rather heavy lunch at Sorelle. So if you are looking for some a bit less expensive you may want to stop here.

Gent, Belgium – Flemish Fascination