Ghent, Belgium : Walkthrough famous tourists places, sights and attractions of Ghent (Gent, Gand)
Ghent (/ɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent pronounced [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]; German: Gent [ˈɡɛnt]) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009,[2] Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium.[3][4] The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the Socialistische Partij Anders, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors.
Tourism[edit]
The Graslei is one of the most scenic places in Ghent's old city centre
Architecture[edit]
The Gravensteen
Historical centre of Ghent – from left to right: Old post office, Saint-Nicholas Church, Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral.
Ghent at Night
Riverside in Ghent
Sunset over the river Leie in Ghent
Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent has established a blend between comfort of living and history; it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including Saint-Jacob's church, Saint-Nicolas' church, Saint Michael's church and St. Stefanus.
In the 19th century Ghent's most famous architect, Louis Roelandt, built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods.
The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.
The Zebrastraat, a social experiment in which an entirely renovated site unites living, economy and culture, can also be found in Ghent.
Campo Santo is a famous Catholic burial site of the nobility and artists.
Museums[edit]
Important museums in Ghent are the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts), with paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens, and many Flemish masters; the SMAK or Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (City Museum for Contemporary Art), with works of the 20th century, including Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol; and the Design Museum Gent with masterpieces of Victor Horta and Le Corbusier. The Huis van Alijn (House of the Alijn family) was originally a beguinage and is now a museum for folk art where theatre and puppet shows for children are presented. The Museum voor Industriële Archeologie en Textiel or MIAT displays the industrial strength of Ghent with recreations of workshops and stores from the 1800s and original spinning and weaving machines that remain from the time when the building was a weaving mill. The Ghent City Museum (Stadsmuseum, abbreviated STAM), is committed to recording and explaining the city's past and its inhabitants, and to preserving the present for future generations.
Restaurants and culinary traditions[edit]
In Ghent and other regions of East-Flanders, bakeries sell a donut-shaped bun called a mastel (plural mastellen), which is basically a bagel. Mastellen are also called Saint Hubert bread, because on the Saint's feast day, which is 3 November, the bakers bring their batches to the early Mass to be blessed. Traditionally, it was thought that blessed mastellen immunized against rabies.
Ghent has the world's largest number of vegetarian restaurants per capita.[13]
Festivities[edit]
The city is host to some big cultural events such as the Gentse Feesten, I Love Techno in Flanders Expo, the 10 Days Off musical festival, the International Film Festival of Ghent (with the World Soundtrack Awards) and the Gent Festival van Vlaanderen (nl).
Nature[edit]
Most notably, Ghent boasts a nature reserve (Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, 230 hectare[14]) and a recreation park (Blaarmeersen, 87 hectares)
Ghent, Belgium : Walkthrough famous tourists places, sights and attractions of Ghent (Gent, Gand)
Ghent (/ɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent pronounced [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]; German: Gent [ˈɡɛnt]) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009,[2] Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium.[3][4] The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the Socialistische Partij Anders, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors.
Tourism[edit]
The Graslei is one of the most scenic places in Ghent's old city centre
Architecture[edit]
The Gravensteen
Historical centre of Ghent – from left to right: Old post office, Saint-Nicholas Church, Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral.
Ghent at Night
Riverside in Ghent
Sunset over the river Leie in Ghent
Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent has established a blend between comfort of living and history; it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including Saint-Jacob's church, Saint-Nicolas' church, Saint Michael's church and St. Stefanus.
In the 19th century Ghent's most famous architect, Louis Roelandt, built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods.
The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.
The Zebrastraat, a social experiment in which an entirely renovated site unites living, economy and culture, can also be found in Ghent.
Campo Santo is a famous Catholic burial site of the nobility and artists.
Museums[edit]
Important museums in Ghent are the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts), with paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens, and many Flemish masters; the SMAK or Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (City Museum for Contemporary Art), with works of the 20th century, including Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol; and the Design Museum Gent with masterpieces of Victor Horta and Le Corbusier. The Huis van Alijn (House of the Alijn family) was originally a beguinage and is now a museum for folk art where theatre and puppet shows for children are presented. The Museum voor Industriële Archeologie en Textiel or MIAT displays the industrial strength of Ghent with recreations of workshops and stores from the 1800s and original spinning and weaving machines that remain from the time when the building was a weaving mill. The Ghent City Museum (Stadsmuseum, abbreviated STAM), is committed to recording and explaining the city's past and its inhabitants, and to preserving the present for future generations.
Restaurants and culinary traditions[edit]
In Ghent and other regions of East-Flanders, bakeries sell a donut-shaped bun called a mastel (plural mastellen), which is basically a bagel. Mastellen are also called Saint Hubert bread, because on the Saint's feast day, which is 3 November, the bakers bring their batches to the early Mass to be blessed. Traditionally, it was thought that blessed mastellen immunized against rabies.
Ghent has the world's largest number of vegetarian restaurants per capita.[13]
Festivities[edit]
The city is host to some big cultural events such as the Gentse Feesten, I Love Techno in Flanders Expo, the 10 Days Off musical festival, the International Film Festival of Ghent (with the World Soundtrack Awards) and the Gent Festival van Vlaanderen (nl).
Nature[edit]
Most notably, Ghent boasts a nature reserve (Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, 230 hectare[14]) and a recreation park (Blaarmeersen, 87 hectares)
Ghent - Belgium
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009, Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium. The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the sp.a, Open VLD and Pro Gent.
Every year the ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held. About two million visitors attend every yearArchaeological evidence shows human presence in the region of the confluence of Scheldt and Lys going back as far as the Stone Age and the Iron Age.[4] Most historians believe that the older name for Ghent, 'Ganda', is derived from the Celtic word 'ganda' which means confluence. There are no written records of the Roman period but archaeological research confirms that the region of Ghent was further inhabited.
When the Franks invaded the Roman territories (from the end of the 4th century and well into the 5th century) they brought their language with them and Celtic and Latin were replaced by Old Dutch.
Around 650 Saint Amand founded two abbeys in Ghent: the Saint Peter Abbey and the St. Bavo's Abbey. The city grew from several nuclei, the abbeys and a commercial centre. Around 800 Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, appointed Einhard, the biographer of Charlemagne, as abbot of both abbeys. In 851 and 879 the city was however attacked and plundered twice by the Vikings.
The city recovered and flourished from the 11th century on. Until the 13th century Ghent was the biggest city in Europe after Paris; it was bigger than London, Cologne or Moscow.[citation needed] Within the city walls lived up to 65,000 people. Today, the belfry and the towers of the Saint Bavo Cathedral and Saint Nicholas' Church are just a few examples of the skyline of the period.
The rivers flowed in an area where a lot of land was periodically inundated. These richly grassed 'meersen' (water-meadows: a word related to the English 'marsh', but not meaning exactly the same: a 'meers' is not permanently under water) were ideally suited for herding sheep, the wool of which was used for making cloth. In fact, Ghent was, during the Middle Ages, the most important city for cloth.
Ghent, Belgium : Walkthrough famous tourists places, sights and attractions of Ghent (Gent, Gand)
Ghent (/ɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent pronounced [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]; German: Gent [ˈɡɛnt]) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009,[2] Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium.[3][4] The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the Socialistische Partij Anders, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors.
Tourism[edit]
The Graslei is one of the most scenic places in Ghent's old city centre
Architecture[edit]
The Gravensteen
Historical centre of Ghent – from left to right: Old post office, Saint-Nicholas Church, Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral.
Ghent at Night
Riverside in Ghent
Sunset over the river Leie in Ghent
Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent has established a blend between comfort of living and history; it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including Saint-Jacob's church, Saint-Nicolas' church, Saint Michael's church and St. Stefanus.
In the 19th century Ghent's most famous architect, Louis Roelandt, built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods.
The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.
The Zebrastraat, a social experiment in which an entirely renovated site unites living, economy and culture, can also be found in Ghent.
Campo Santo is a famous Catholic burial site of the nobility and artists.
Museums[edit]
Important museums in Ghent are the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts), with paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens, and many Flemish masters; the SMAK or Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (City Museum for Contemporary Art), with works of the 20th century, including Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol; and the Design Museum Gent with masterpieces of Victor Horta and Le Corbusier. The Huis van Alijn (House of the Alijn family) was originally a beguinage and is now a museum for folk art where theatre and puppet shows for children are presented. The Museum voor Industriële Archeologie en Textiel or MIAT displays the industrial strength of Ghent with recreations of workshops and stores from the 1800s and original spinning and weaving machines that remain from the time when the building was a weaving mill. The Ghent City Museum (Stadsmuseum, abbreviated STAM), is committed to recording and explaining the city's past and its inhabitants, and to preserving the present for future generations.
Restaurants and culinary traditions[edit]
In Ghent and other regions of East-Flanders, bakeries sell a donut-shaped bun called a mastel (plural mastellen), which is basically a bagel. Mastellen are also called Saint Hubert bread, because on the Saint's feast day, which is 3 November, the bakers bring their batches to the early Mass to be blessed. Traditionally, it was thought that blessed mastellen immunized against rabies.
Ghent has the world's largest number of vegetarian restaurants per capita.[13]
Festivities[edit]
The city is host to some big cultural events such as the Gentse Feesten, I Love Techno in Flanders Expo, the 10 Days Off musical festival, the International Film Festival of Ghent (with the World Soundtrack Awards) and the Gent Festival van Vlaanderen (nl).
Nature[edit]
Most notably, Ghent boasts a nature reserve (Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, 230 hectare[14]) and a recreation park (Blaarmeersen, 87 hectares)
Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium - virtual tour
Ghent is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe with some 50,000 people in 1300.
Today it’s a university town and cultural hub. Its pedestrianized center is known for medieval landmarks such as 12th-century Gravensteen castle and the Graslei, a row of guildhalls beside the Leie river harbor.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants.
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about 1-1.5 million visitors.
Ghent, Belgium Travel
Ghent, Belgium Travel - Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe. Today it is a busy city with a port and a university.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009, Ghent is Belgiums second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium. The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the sp.a, Open VLD and Pro Gent.
Every year the ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held. About two million visitors attend every yearArchaeological evidence shows human presence in the region of the confluence of Scheldt and Lys going back as far as the Stone Age and the Iron Age.[4] Most historians believe that the older name for Ghent, Ganda, is derived from the Celtic word ganda which means confluence. There are no written records of the Roman period but archaeological research confirms that the region of Ghent was further inhabited.
When the Franks invaded the Roman territories (from the end of the 4th century and well into the 5th century) they brought their language with them and Celtic and Latin were replaced by Old Dutch.
Around 650 Saint Amand founded two abbeys in Ghent: the Saint Peter Abbey and the St. Bavos Abbey. The city grew from several nuclei, the abbeys and a commercial centre. Around 800 Louis the Pious, son of Charlemagne, appointed Einhard, the biographer of Charlemagne, as abbot of both abbeys. In 851 and 879 the city was however attacked and plundered twice by the Vikings.
The city recovered and flourished from the 11th century on. Until the 13th century Ghent was the biggest city in Europe after Paris; it was bigger than London, Cologne or Moscow.[citation needed] Within the city walls lived up to 65,000 people. Today, the belfry and the towers of the Saint Bavo Cathedral and Saint Nicholas Church are just a few examples of the skyline of the period.
The rivers flowed in an area where a lot of land was periodically inundated. These richly grassed meersen (water-meadows: a word related to the English marsh, but not meaning exactly the same: a meers is not permanently under water) were ideally suited for herding sheep, the wool of which was used for making cloth. In fact, Ghent was, during the Middle Ages, the most important city for cloth.
Enjoy Your Ghent, Belgium Travel!
Ghent, Belgium : Walkthrough famous tourists places, sights and attractions of Ghent (Gent, Gand)
Ghent (/ɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent pronounced [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]; German: Gent [ˈɡɛnt]) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe, with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city.
The municipality comprises the city of Ghent proper and the surrounding towns of Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem and Zwijnaarde. With 240,191 inhabitants in the beginning of 2009,[2] Ghent is Belgium's second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 1,205 km2 (465 sq mi) and has a total population of 594,582 as of 1 January 2008, which ranks it as the fourth most populous in Belgium.[3][4] The current mayor of Ghent, Daniël Termont, leads a coalition of the Socialistische Partij Anders, Groen and Open VLD.
The ten-day-long Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is held every year and attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors.
Tourism[edit]
The Graslei is one of the most scenic places in Ghent's old city centre
Architecture[edit]
The Gravensteen
Historical centre of Ghent – from left to right: Old post office, Saint-Nicholas Church, Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral.
Ghent at Night
Riverside in Ghent
Sunset over the river Leie in Ghent
Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent has established a blend between comfort of living and history; it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including Saint-Jacob's church, Saint-Nicolas' church, Saint Michael's church and St. Stefanus.
In the 19th century Ghent's most famous architect, Louis Roelandt, built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods.
The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.
The Zebrastraat, a social experiment in which an entirely renovated site unites living, economy and culture, can also be found in Ghent.
Campo Santo is a famous Catholic burial site of the nobility and artists.
Museums[edit]
Important museums in Ghent are the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts), with paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Peter Paul Rubens, and many Flemish masters; the SMAK or Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (City Museum for Contemporary Art), with works of the 20th century, including Joseph Beuys and Andy Warhol; and the Design Museum Gent with masterpieces of Victor Horta and Le Corbusier. The Huis van Alijn (House of the Alijn family) was originally a beguinage and is now a museum for folk art where theatre and puppet shows for children are presented. The Museum voor Industriële Archeologie en Textiel or MIAT displays the industrial strength of Ghent with recreations of workshops and stores from the 1800s and original spinning and weaving machines that remain from the time when the building was a weaving mill. The Ghent City Museum (Stadsmuseum, abbreviated STAM), is committed to recording and explaining the city's past and its inhabitants, and to preserving the present for future generations.
Restaurants and culinary traditions[edit]
In Ghent and other regions of East-Flanders, bakeries sell a donut-shaped bun called a mastel (plural mastellen), which is basically a bagel. Mastellen are also called Saint Hubert bread, because on the Saint's feast day, which is 3 November, the bakers bring their batches to the early Mass to be blessed. Traditionally, it was thought that blessed mastellen immunized against rabies.
Ghent has the world's largest number of vegetarian restaurants per capita.[13]
Festivities[edit]
The city is host to some big cultural events such as the Gentse Feesten, I Love Techno in Flanders Expo, the 10 Days Off musical festival, the International Film Festival of Ghent (with the World Soundtrack Awards) and the Gent Festival van Vlaanderen (nl).
Nature[edit]
Most notably, Ghent boasts a nature reserve (Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen, 230 hectare[14]) and a recreation park (Blaarmeersen, 87 hectares)
Gent - Belgien
Gent (nl. [ɣɛnt], franz. Gand [gɑ̃]) ist die Hauptstadt der belgischen Provinz Ostflandern und des Arrondissements Gent. Die Gemeinde besteht aus den Teilgemeinden Afsnee, Desteldonk, Drongen, Gent, Gentbrugge, Ledeberg, Mariakerke, Mendonk, Oostakker, Sint-Amandsberg, Sint-Denijs-Westrem, Sint-Kruis-Winkel, Wondelgem und Zwijnaarde. An der Universität Gent studieren 32.000 Studenten. Gent hat 235.000 Einwohner und ein Bevölkerungswachstum von 0,6%Der Name Gent kommt vom keltischen Wort Ganda, was soviel bedeutet wie Zusammenfluss, Mündung. Nach der Herrschaft der Römer wurde die Stadt um 400 von den Franken eingenommen. Im 9. Jahrhundert kamen die Normannen und plünderten das Gebiet um Gent. Karl der Große versuchte später vergeblich, die Wikinger durch den Bau einer Flotte abzuwehren.
Im 11. Jahrhundert wurde Gent zur Metropole der Textilproduktion und, als zweitgrößte Stadt Nordeuropas nach Paris, zur wirtschaftlichen Großmacht. Der Adel musste den Kaufmannsfamilien einen großen Teil der Macht abtreten. Es bildeten sich mächtige Zünfte, die sich stets gegen die Vorherrschaft der mittelalterlichen Fürsten wehrten. Je mehr die Zünfte und Kaufmannsfamilien an Macht und Einfluss gewannen, umso mehr pochten sie auch auf ihre Selbständigkeit. Es kam immer wieder zu Aufständen.
1338 verbündeten sich die Genter Zünfte unter dem Kaufmann und diktatorisch regierenden Stadthauptmann Jacob van Artevelde mit den Engländern, um mit diesen zusammen gegen den französischen Adel vorzugehen. (Siehe auch: Schlacht bei Roosebeke)
1384 kam Gent an das Herzogtum Burgund, weil Herzog Philipp der Kühne die Erbin Margarete von Flandern geheiratet hatte. Als dieser die Macht der Zünfte einschränkte, kam es unter der Führung von Philipp van Artevelde erneut zum Aufstand. Die Kämpfe wurden hart und erbittert geführt, doch schließlich mussten sich die Kaufleute von Gent den Burgundern geschlagen geben. Der Streit um Salz- und Getreidesteuern dauerte ganze drei Jahre.
Tuchhalle mit Belfried
Gravensteen, die Burg der ehemaligen Grafen von Flandern
Zentrum von Gent
Gent bei Nacht
Am 23. Juli 1453 kam es schließlich zur entscheidenden Schlacht an der Schelde: Die 30.000 Mann des Stadtheeres konnten keinen Sieg erringen. Herzog Philipp der Gute ließ die Ratsherren im Büßerhemd vor die Stadt ziehen und um Gnade bitten.
Erst nach der Schlacht von 1453 akzeptierte Gent die Burgunderherrschaft, die bis 1476 dauerte. 1477 erbten die Habsburger Gent durch die Hochzeit von Maria von Burgund mit dem späteren Kaiser Maximilian. Auch dieses Mal wieder kämpften die Kaufleute energisch um ihre Unabhängigkeit und ergaben sich erst 1492.
belgian village
вот такие симпатичные каменные домики в восточной Бельгии
Baarle, Teil 1, In welchem Land bin ich hier eigentlich?
Ich habe eine Woche Ferien in und um Baarle gemacht. Baarle hat knapp zehntausend Einwohner und liegt südwestlich von Tilburg, südöstlich von Breda und nördlich von Turnhout. Baarle liegt in den südlichen Niederlanden. Eigentlich: Denn im Ort befinden sich 22 belgische Enklaven - Gebiete, die zu Belgien gehören, aber nicht mit dem belgischen Mutterland unmittelbar verbunden sind. Und: In den zwei größten dieser belgischen Enklaven befinden sich noch einmal sieben oder acht niederländische Subenklaven - also Gebiete, die vollständig von belgischem Gebiet umgeben ist, welches wiederum vollständig von niederländischem Gebiet umgeben ist.
Die niederländischen Gebiete des Ortes gehören zur Gemeinde Baarle-Nassau, die belgischen zur Gemeinde Baarle-Hertog. So manches gibt es in Baarle doppelt: Zwei Rathäuser und zwei Postämter zum Beispiel. Auch zwei Polizeidienststellen, nur dass sie sich ein Gebäude teilen (das natürlich auf der Grenze öliegt). Stellt euch vor, in Baarle klaut ein Tunichtgut eine Handtasche. Dann müssen sowohl die niederländischen als auch die belgischen Polizisten loseilen, denn man weiß ja nicht, ob man den Lümmel auf niederländischem oder auf belgischem Gebiet schnappen wird.
Andere Sachen teilen sich die Baarler: Zum Beispiel das Kulturzentrum von Baarle, das auch die Internationale Bibliothek Baarle beherbergt.
Am meisten los ist in Baarle sonntags. Sowohl die niederländischen als auch die belgischen Läden haben dann offen, und der Ort ist überlaufen von Ausflüglern, zumindest wenn das Wetter ordentlich ist. Montags hingegen haben etliche Läden dann sogar zu. Für einen Ausflug nach Baarle empfehle ich deswegen jeden der fünf anderen Tage der Woche.
Aber diesen Ausflug empfehle ich in jedem Fall. Baarle ist einzigartig. Beim Spazierengehen wechselt man unwillkürlich immer wieder die Grenze. Den Baarlern ist das egal. Die kennen ihre Grenzsituation nämlich bereits seit dem Mittelalter (!) und nehmen die Grenzen im Alltag kaum noch wahr. Baarle ist aber nicht nur zwei in einem, sondern ist auch darüberhinaus recht sehenswert. Und Einkaufs- und Verpflegungsmöglichkeiten gibt es in Baarle deutlich mehr, als man sonst von einem 10000-Einwohner-Dorf erwarten kann.