The Old Town of Ghent represents one of the best-preserved medieval urban ensembles in Western Europe. Located at the confluence of the Lys and Scheldt rivers, the historic centre took shape over several centuries, beginning in the 12th century, and today provides a vivid picture of what a prosperous Flemish city looked like during the late Middle Ages.
The territory of Ghent`s Old Town is compact and convenient for exploring on foot. Its architectural structure is defined by three dominant features — the towers of Saint Nicholas` Church, the Belfry, and Saint Bavo`s Cathedral — which form a characteristic silhouette recognisable from any point in the historic centre. Between them stretches a network of narrow streets, squares, and embankments, where behind every façade lies a fragment of the city`s centuries-long history.
Three Towers: A Gothic Silhouette Above the City
Any discussion of the architectural character of Old Ghent begins with its famous trio — three towers that have formed a unique city silhouette for over six centuries. They are aligned along a single line, barely two hundred metres apart, and each tells its own story of medieval Ghent`s power.
To the west rises Saint Nicholas` Church — a magnificent example of Scheldt Gothic, recognisable by its use of blue-grey stone brought from Tournai. In the centre, between Saint Nicholas and the cathedral, stands Ghent`s Belfry — the tallest municipal tower in Belgium, reaching 91 metres. Its construction began in 1313 under the design of master mason Jan van Haelst.
To the east, the ensemble is completed by Saint Bavo`s Cathedral — majestic Brabantine Gothic, housing within its walls the famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. Three towers, three eras, three styles — together they create that instantly recognisable silhouette which makes Ghent unique among all the medieval cities of Europe.
The Graslei and Korenlei Embankments
If the towers represent Ghent`s vertical dimension, then the Graslei and Korenlei embankments represent its horizontal dimension, capturing seven centuries of the city`s history. In the Middle Ages, this was the city`s main port, and it was on these embankments that ships unloaded the grain, wool, and other goods that made Ghent one of Europe`s wealthiest cities.
Today, standing on Saint Michael`s Bridge, you see before you a succession of façades, each a separate chapter in this history. On the left bank, at Graslei, attention is drawn to Het Spijker — a grain warehouse built around 1200.
Opposite, on Korenlei, there once stood patrician mansions and inns. Here the colour palette is different: instead of the grey stone of Graslei, there are ochre and pink, light stone and brick, a play of textures creating a more intimate, domestic atmosphere.
How Ghent`s Medieval Appearance Was Restored
Remarkably, Ghent acquired its current medieval appearance relatively recently — and the path to this was paradoxical. In the 19th century, the historic centre was filled with industrial buildings, and many medieval façades were hidden beneath layers of plaster. The Castle of the Counts of Flanders, now one of the main attractions, served at that time as a cotton-spinning factory, surrounded by shops and residential buildings.
Everything changed in 1913, when Ghent hosted the World`s Fair. Mayor Émile Braun set an ambitious goal: to show the world the old medieval city. To this end, industrial buildings were removed from the centre, plaster was stripped from historic façades, structures concealing the Castle of the Counts were demolished, and a new Saint Michael`s Bridge was built, offering the famous view of the three towers. This was a large-scale project of "cleansing" the medieval heritage which, for all its decisiveness, saved Ghent from the fate of many industrial cities that lost their historic centres in the 20th century.
However, not all changes made at that time were beyond dispute. In preparation for the exhibition, entire neighbourhoods between the towers were demolished to open up panoramic views. In the 1960s, this process continued: the area between Saint Bavo`s Cathedral and the City Hall was demolished for the construction of an administrative centre that was never built. For decades, a car park occupied the site — an asphalt expanse in the very heart of the medieval city.
Stadshal: A Modern Bridge Between Past and Future
The situation changed only at the beginning of the 21st century. After an underground parking project was rejected in a city referendum, the authorities announced a new competition for the redevelopment of the vacated space. The winning design was by the architectural firm Robbrecht en Daem and Marie-Josée Van Hee — the so-called Stadshal, or Market Hall, which opened in 2012.
Today, this space is a brilliant example of how modern architecture can coexist with historical heritage, neither imitating nor overwhelming it. The structure is 40 metres long, and its height is exactly midway between the City Hall and the neighbouring buildings. Two steep gabled roofs, covered with glass tiles and pierced by 1,600 skylights, echo the silhouettes of the surrounding Gothic buildings. By day, they allow natural light to filter in; by night, they become a giant lantern, softly illuminating the square.
Four massive pillars support this roof, and two of them house fireplaces where fires are lit on cold days — a gesture that returns to the public space the cosiness of a private home. The floor is paved with the same cobblestones as the neighbouring squares, creating visual continuity. This is not merely an architectural object — it is a portico under which markets, concerts and city festivals are held, a place where citizens feel at home.
A Living Open-Air Museum
As you stroll through Old Ghent today, you will not see a sharp boundary between the historic and the contemporary. The restoration that began in 1913 continues to this day. The city administration has committed to caring for forty historic façades in perpetuity — a promise made at the beginning of the 20th century that today translates into large-scale restoration projects.
What to See in Ghent`s Old Town
• Castle of the Counts of Flanders (Gravensteen) — a medieval fortress with a drawbridge, towers, and a collection of weaponry
• Saint Bavo`s Cathedral — houses the famous Ghent Altarpiece ("The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb") by the Van Eyck brothers
• Saint Nicholas` Church — a masterpiece of Scheldt Gothic with a unique central tower
• The Belfry — a 91-metre tower with a carillon and panoramic view of the city
• The City Hall — a unique building combining Gothic and Renaissance styles
• Graslei and Korenlei — a succession of historic guild houses and patrician mansions along the canal
• Stadshal (Market Hall) — a modern architectural centrepiece of the Émile Braun Square
• Patershol Street — a picturesque alley with footbridges and medieval buildings
Ghent`s Old Town represents a unique example of the combination of authentic medieval architecture and contemporary urban life. Thanks to the deliberate policy of preserving the historical heritage begun in the early 20th century, and subsequent restoration projects, today`s visitor can see the urban ensemble that took shape over several centuries in its most complete form.
The compactness of the historic centre, the convenience of walking routes, and the high concentration of architectural monuments make Ghent one of the most appealing destinations for exploring the culture of medieval Flanders.
