The Belfort and the Lakenhalle

The Belfort (Belfry) watchtower is the symbol of civic autonomy and independence in Ghent. The municipal privileges were kept in the secrecy room since 1402. Construction works started in 1313 but due to wars and riots it was only finished in 1380. The bell tower was renewed and redesigned seven times partly because of the growing numbers of bells of the carillon. The dragon on top is a symbolic protector of Ghent and its liberties. The tower is open for visitors (entrance fee is 5 euros).

The attached building is the Lakenhalle (cloth hall) was initially used as the central trading point for textiles. The construction started in 1425 and stopped in 1441. During this period the importance of the textile industry declined therefore only seven out of the planned 11 bays were completed. The remaining four bays were only added in 1903. Between 1742 and 1902, the Lakenhalle was used as the city jail. The top floor gives home to the fencing guild (Gentse Koninklijke en Ridderlijke Sint-Michielsgilde/Ghent Royal and Chivalric Saint Michael's Guild).

 

Since 1999, the belfry and the attached buildings made it to the coveted UNESCO's World Heritage List among other belfries in Flanders.

The Belfort and the Lakenhalle

Metselaarshuis

Bron der geknielden

Dancing figures

 Which one did I miss??? ;)

The original Metselaarshuis (Mason's Guild Hall)

Opposite the side entrance of the Sint Niklaaskerk, on the Sint-Niklaasstraat, the original Mason's guilgd house from 1526 can be found. The building was drastically rebuilt in 1852 and it was widely believed that the original facade was destroyed. Therefore in 1912/1913 a replica of this house was erected on the Graslei named Den Enghel (angel). During renovation works in 1976, it was discovered that the original Gothic facade was only hiding behind some ugly plasterwork. This guild house is famous for the six figures representing from top to bottom gods, devils and men.

 

 

Max and de Draak

There are two remarkable buildings between the Kleine Turkije and the Donkersteeg. The Koffiebranderij De Draak (left) and the Max (right). Koffiebranderij De Draak, that sells coffee, tea and different accessories, is located in the 12-13th century De Spiegel (the mirror) house made of limestone from Doornik/Tournai. Max cafe or The Valk (the falcon) is built in rococo style and  famous for claiming the invention of Brussels-type waffles and another Belgian specialty the appelbeignets. The waffles with numerous rich toppings are about 10-15 euros. Is it worth it? Once for ticking a box but I definitely prefer Luikse-Liege style waffles.

Historical center from above

View from the Belfort: Clock tower of the Post Plaza and Sint Niklaaskerk on the left hand side, houses between the Klein Turkije (Little Turkey) and Donkersteeg (Dark alley) with the famous Max cafe on the corner.

Stadshal

With the refurbishment of the area between the Sint Niklaaskerk and the Belfort, a new open-air building was erected. The Stadshal was finished in 2002 with a cost of is 3,7 million euros. The style, placement and usefulness is still highly controversial. Some consider it as a modern masterpiece others think that it ruins the athmosphere of the historical center. The roof structure is made of concrete, glass and wood.

The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete - See more at: http://www.visitgent.be/en/node/11309/?context=tourist#.dpuf

The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete - See more at: http://www.visitgent.be/en/node/11309/?context=tourist#.dpufTh

The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete - See more at: http://www.visitgent.be/en/node/11309/?context=tourist#.dpufThe

The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete - See more at: http://www.visitgent.be/en/node/11309/?context=tourist#.dpuf

The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete - See more at: http://www.visitgent.be/en/node/11309/?context=tourist#.dpuf

Korenmarkt

Entrance of the Post Plaza and historical buildings along the Korenmarkt. The lion  is a symbol for Flanders appearing on the regional flag, coat of arms, anthem (De Vlaamse Leeuw) and many buildings usually depicted as a black lion with red claws and a red tongue.

Post Plaza facade

The Post Plaza building is heavily ornamented with coats of arms and statues some of them representing Belgium, Flanders, Wallonia, the provinces. Somewhere there a figure of Florence Nightingale is hiding according to one of my guidebooks.

 

Post Plaza

There is a fourth iconic tower on the Korenmarkt.

The Post Plaza looks medieval and blends in well with the other historic buildings of the square. However, the former post office was built in an eclectic style mixing Gothic and Renaissance motifs between 1898 and 1909. Later, it served as a shopping center but since 2010 it is basically empty. Now you cannot even enter the building and there is only a fast food restaurant resides inside.