A day with a monk in Ghent

A January 2001 trip to Ghent by bladybug65

Quote: My brother and I spent a wonderful day visiting the highlights of this magnificent city in the company of our friend who is a monk at Sint Andries Abbey near Brugge.

A day with a monk in Ghent

Overview

Quote:

Standing before Jan van Eyk's 15th century painting of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Saint Bavo's cathedral.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

From the train station, the best way to get to the town center is by trolley. The conductors are most helpful in guiding you to the correct line. Once you get there, the best way to see everything is by walking.

Cheer!
Flag

Sint-Andriesabdij

Best Of IgoUgo

Hotel

Quote:

When my brother and I visited Belgium, we stayed at this abbey since we know one of the monks there. He took us on day trips to Brugge and Ghent. It was a wonderful experience, but that was mainly because we were connected to the abbey. The abbey is located a few miles outside of Brugge. Unless you have a car or bike, the only way to get there from Brugge is by taxi, which was quite expensive. If you are looking for a very peaceful place to stay and would like to experience the tranquility of the abbey, this is the place. If you want to experience the night life of Brugge and are just looking for a place to base yourself while you explore surrounding areas, this is not the place (they lock the d...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 22, 2001

Sint-Andriesabdij
B-8200, Sint Andries
Ghent, Belgium

Cheer!
Flag

Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts of Flanders)

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Castle of the Counts"

Quote:

This is one of my favorite places that I visited while in Ghent. It is well worth the time to explore and the $5.00 entry fee. The castle itself was built in the 12th century by Philip of Alsace, the Count of Flanders, as a defensive measure. But it was not always used for defense; throughout the centuries the castle has been a mint, a courthouse, a prison and a cotton mill. The castle has been restored (actually, restoration projects are continuing). You can have a wonderful view of Ghent from the top - I was able to take some great photos of the city. There is also a museum with instruments of torture housed in what was once the nobles' bedchamber. Some of the written descriptions (in English...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 22, 2001

Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts of Flanders)
Sint-veerleplein 11
Ghent, Belgium

Cheer!
Flag

Saint Bavo Cathedral, Sint-Baafskathedraal

Best Of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Saint Bavo's Cathedral"

Quote:

This is an awesome cathedral which is a combination of a few different architectural styles - mainly high gothic and late gothic. The main highlight of the cathedral though is the famous painting by Jan van Eyck and his brother: "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb." This is truly the masterpiece of 15th century Flemish painting. The approximately $3.00 charge to view the painting is well worth it. The price also gives you entrance into the Romanesque style crypt underneath the cathedral. There are a few tombs and some wonderful wall paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. You can also view some religious treasures that are on display. Since I was there on a weekday at about noon, mass was be...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 22, 2001

Saint Bavo Cathedral, Sint-Baafskathedraal
Sint-baafsplein (st. Bavo's Square)
Ghent, Belgium

Cheer!
Flag

Saint Nicholas Church

Attraction

Quote:

We went to this cathedral after a long day which had already included visits to three or four other cathedrals (I actually lost count). This one was almost a let down after Saint Bavo's (almost). It doesn't have the famous paintings that St. Bavo's has, but it much brighter and more uplifting. Yet it is still more grand than anything I have ever seen in the United States. My suggestion would be to start with St. Nicholas (and St. Michael's which is nearby), then work your way up to St. Bavo's cathedral and the masterpieces it contains. One word of warning, don't attempt to try to view anything when a mass is about to start; we were practically chased out by a little old lady.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 22, 2001

Saint Nicholas Church
Cataloniëstraat
Ghent, Belgium

Cheer!
Flag

About the Writer

bladybug65
Palmdale, California

User Rating:

Marriott Ghent

User Rating:

Holiday Inn Express Gent

User Rating:

Novotel Gent Centrum

User Rating:

Hotel Harmony

User Rating:

Saint Bavo Cathedral, Sint-Baafskathedraal

User Rating:

Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts of Flanders)

User Rating:

Alijnhuis

User Rating:

Belfort of Ghent

User Rating:

Saint Nicholas Church

User Rating:

IgoUgo

Ghent Journals

Upload Photos