Ghent

Ghent is situated at the crossroads between Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges, and therefore is often visited by tourists. Old Town is small. We walked here using the folowing map, it is easy and convenient.

Route description can be downloaded here (first click Download, then Detailed travel directions).

We started as usual from the observation deck on the central square. Belfry in Ghent (XIII-XIV century) is also the city's main attraction. The tower has an elevator that stops at several floors, and it makes sense to view all of them.

Entrance is through the secret room, below ground level. During the war Germans made their headquarters here.


At the top of the tower stands a dragon and one more, the old one, can be found inside the Belfry. Judging by the design, the dragon was a "fire-breathing".


On the top floor is a unique musical device, operating on the principle of punch cards and managing 40-bells.


The observation deck offers great views of Ghent. It is definitely one of the best observation decks in Belgium.






Going down from the tower, we went for a walk along the tourist route.


Stopped near one building and started to read description in the guidebook: "It is as if a hidden musician were playing the soundtrack for your walk, but in reality it will be a student at the academy of music". At this moment we really heard the music somewhere nearby.


Town hall


Friday Market square






Next we come to the most interesting part of the old city. This district was once owned by the Count of Flanders. Here stand the castle, built in 1180, but like most castles located in the city center it is not so interesting.


Cozy squares around it are much better. This district is called Patershol, it has retained its medieval layout, most of the houses were built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. Here lived lawyers and officials, the area was prestigious, but since the beginning of XIX century fell into disrepair and until the Second World War here was a "red-light district".


Antique doors


Ghent has canals and canals always increase the tourist attraction of the city.






Bridge Sint-Michielsbrug offers the best views of the city.






By the way, one of the tram routes of Ghent lead to a ​​Moscow district. This area has received the name, because Russian army was there during the Napoleonic Wars.


Getting to Ghent: city is ideally located between the major Belgian cities. The best way is to go by train, travel time from Brussels 0:40, from Antwerpen 1:00, from Bruges 0:20. Central Station of Ghent is located 2.5 km from the old town which can be reached by tram number 1 to stop Korenmarkt. Buy tickets from the machine at the tram stop.