August 2019 -- Ghent, while important during the Middle Ages (second only to Paris), is now mostly a college town. We toured the castle, did a walking tour, took a canal ride, and went kayaking. We did a lot of walking. It is a very walkable city. The historic district was closed off to cars. Throughout my stay in Belgium, my travel companions were Joan, Linda, Jim, and Carole. I roomed with Joan, as we have many times in the past at professional meetings.
Ghent is built on canals and rivers.
Watching the boats go by.
Ghent is a college town.
Clock tower, St. Nicholas church, and Belfry
Panoramic views
The Friday market is one of the oldest market squares in Ghent. It gets its name from the weekly tradition to hold a market on Friday mornings. The centerpiece of the plaza is the statue of Jacob van Artevelde (a Flemish leader and statesman) who was murdered on the site in 1345. One of the most unique buildings in Ghent is the "sheep shed (or barn)." The city pavilion was built in 2012 and provoked controversy because its design did not fit the historical landscape of Ghent.
Friday Market
Jacob
The Sheep Shed
Piano player
Sasha, a resident of Ghent
Ghent has a sculpture of a giant roll of toilet paper. The Ghent Design Museum put the sculpture there when the city denied their expansion plans.
