In the southern part of Ghent, in the quiet Bijloke district, lies the STAM Museum (Stadsmuseum Gent) – the Ghent City Museum, which is rightfully considered one of the best places to get to know this remarkable Flemish city. Here, within the walls of a medieval abbey, history comes alive through modern multimedia technologies, and the past, present, and future of Ghent are presented as a single narrative.
STAM is not just a repository of ancient artifacts. It is a place where you can literally walk across a map of the city, see how Ghent has changed over the centuries, and feel the pulse of modern urban life. The museum seamlessly combines historic 14th-century walls with 21st-century architecture, creating a space where every visitor becomes an explorer.
History of the STAM City Museum
The history of the STAM collection dates back to 1833, when the Archaeological Museum was founded. Over the decades, the collection grew, and in 1928, the museum found its home in the historic complex of Bijloke Abbey, taking the name Bijlokemuseum. Here, within the walls of the medieval monastery, the collection was expanded with objects related to the city`s history: from city council documents to items from craft guilds, from fragments of ancient buildings to unique works of art.
The Birth of STAM (2010)
At the beginning of the 21st century, the city authorities decided to create a modern museum that would tell the history of Ghent at a new level. The project combined the historic collection of Bijlokemuseum with other city collections. Under the direction of architect Koen Van Nieuwenhuyse, a new portal building of glass and concrete was constructed, linking the medieval abbey and new structures into a single museum complex.
On October 9, 2010, STAM opened its doors to the public. Just two years later, in 2012, the Ghent City Museum was awarded the prestigious Flemish Museum Prize. In 2020, the museum`s exhibition was renewed: the spatial design became more contemporary, the number of exhibits increased by a quarter, and multimedia technologies took on an even more important role in the narrative.
Architecture of the Ghent City Museum: Three Eras Under One Roof
One of the main features of STAM is that the building itself is an exhibit. The museum is located on the grounds of a former Cistercian nunnery, whose history began in 1228. The architectural ensemble unites three eras.
Bijloke Abbey (14th Century)
The heart of the museum complex is the Gothic abbey, built in the 14th century from brick characteristic of the region. This is one of the earliest examples of brick architecture in the area. Inside the abbey, unique interiors have been preserved:
• The Refectory – a spacious hall with a wooden pointed vault and 14th-century frescoes on the walls, which miraculously survive to this day.
• The Dormitory – the nuns` sleeping quarters, where part of the permanent exhibition is housed.
• The Baroque Hall "1715" – a room decorated in the 18th century, dedicated to the history of Ghent in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Of particular note is the tomb of Hugo II, Viscount of Ghent, who ruled from 1227 to 1232, located in the abbey`s refectory.
The Monastery (17th Century)
In the 17th century, the abbey was expanded to the northeast. Here, cloisters – covered galleries around an inner courtyard – were built, where temporary exhibitions and special projects are now held. After the French Revolution, when the abbey was dissolved in 1797, the nuns returned and occupied precisely this part of the complex, which became known as Bijlokeklooster.
The New Building (2010)
The modern entrance pavilion of glass and concrete, designed by architect Koen Van Nieuwenhuyse, serves as a portal between past and present. The transparent walls and minimalist design do not compete with the historic architecture; instead, they emphasize its value and create a smooth transition from the modern city to the medieval monastery. Here you will find:
• Ticket counters and information desk
• Museum shop with souvenirs, books, and gifts on the theme of Ghent
• Café with a terrace overlooking the museum garden
• The introductory hall, where visitors are introduced to contemporary Ghent before immersing themselves in its history
What Can Be Seen at the STAM Museum
The Giant Aerial Photograph of Ghent – The Museum`s Main Attraction
The absolute highlight of STAM is the enormous aerial photograph of Ghent covering 300 square meters, which occupies an entire hall. This is not just a photograph, but a highly detailed map of the modern city that you can and should walk on. You literally stroll through the streets, squares, and canals of Ghent, examining familiar and unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Next to the map are multimedia screens, allowing you to see Ghent in different eras:
• 1534 – the oldest panorama of the city by an unknown master
• 1614 – a city plan from that time
• 1912 – a map from the turn of the 19th–20th centuries
• Present day – the detailed aerial photograph you are walking on
The Permanent Exhibition: 300 Objects Telling the History of Ghent
The main exhibition is located in the historic halls of the abbey and is organized chronologically. Each hall corresponds to a specific period in the city`s history, and the architecture of the space itself helps create the appropriate atmosphere.
Among the key exhibits:
• Silver official staff badges – ceremonial items of the city council
• Heraldic cloak – the attire of the city herald
• A unique collection of processional torches and banners from craft guilds
• A 15th-century battle banner
• Marks of Ghent silversmiths – examples of stamps used to identify craftsmen
• Architectural fragments – carved keystones, corbels, tomb slabs, wrought iron, leather wallpapers, and a collection of stained glass
• Furniture, household items, coins, seals, and weapons
• A Book of Hours with miniatures by Joris Hoefnagel
• A series of 17th-century paintings – historical canvases created for the "Joyful Entries" of rulers
• Crowning the museum`s painting collection is the panoramic view of Ghent from 1534, created by an unknown master – the oldest detailed depiction of the city.
A Special Section Dedicated to the Ghent Altarpiece
The museum has a special section dedicated to the famous Ghent Altarpiece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by the van Eyck brothers. Here you can learn more about the dramatic history of this masterpiece, including the famous 1934 theft of the Just Judges panel, which remains unsolved.
STAMplein – A Free Area for Changing Exhibitions
On STAMplein, a square within the Ghent City Museum, temporary exhibitions and projects are held. This space is open to visitors free of charge and can be visited independently of the main exhibition. Here you can see guest exhibitions, small displays from private collections of Ghent residents, and items from the STAM reserves.
Photographs of Contemporary Ghent
In the corridors of the abbey, a series of photographs by Michiel Hendryckx entitled "Ghent Today" is on display. These works, along with photographs by Carl De Keyzer, capture life in different districts of the city, showcasing its diversity and contemporary character.
Children`s Program and Family Activities
STAM is very family-friendly. A special children`s route runs through all the museum halls, where young visitors can explore the city in the roles of merchants, craftsmen, architects, and tourists, "sell" fabrics, decorate facades, plot routes, build Ghent`s towers from LEGO, and interact with interactive exhibits.
Museum Garden and Surroundings
The museum is surrounded by well-kept gardens where you can enjoy a picnic. Also within the complex is a concert hall in the former infirmary wing of the abbey, where musicians who appreciate the unique acoustics of the historic halls perform today.
Begin your acquaintance with Ghent at STAM. Here you will see how Ghent is structured, where its main treasures are located, and how centuries have shaped its unique character. Plan 2–3 hours for your visit and be sure to walk across the giant map. You will see how Ghent has changed over the centuries and feel its pulse today.
