| Ghent is Belgium's second-largest municipality with a | | | | round out this trio of ancient towers that dominate the |
| 2008 population of 237,000. It is located at the | | | | Ghent skyline. There was much wealth here in |
| confluence of the Rivers Lye and Scheldt. It has a rich | | | | medieval times, and remarkably so much of its beauty |
| commercial past and a bustling port, but Ghent is | | | | and charm remain to this day. The many gorgeous old |
| known mostly for its culture. | | | | buildings, cobbled streets and lanes, beautiful |
| Your camera will be fluttering away at the vast array | | | | waterways make this city a tourist's delight. |
| of medieval architecture, as much of the medieval | | | | Ghent has no shortage of museums as well. The |
| structures have remained intact. In fact, Ghent has | | | | Museum of fine arts features many Flemish masters |
| more listed historical structures than the rest of | | | | and much more, and the City Museum for |
| Belgium put together. The most famous series of | | | | contemporary Art features works of the 20th century. |
| medieval buildings are the guild houses along the old | | | | There is also a Folk Art Museum as well as one |
| waterfront known as Graslei. The Gravensteen Castle, | | | | featuring the industrial history and strength of the city. |
| known as the "Castle of the Counts" was rebuilt in | | | | Ghent features a rich array of restaurants, particularly |
| 1180, and features quite a collection of torture | | | | in the "Patershol" section of the city. There are also |
| instruments. | | | | many cultural events hosted in Ghent, most notably in |
| Another great thing to do is to view the city from the | | | | the 10 day Ghent Festival at the end of July which |
| top of the nearly 300 foot belfry tower. The Saint | | | | features free music, fireworks, street theater, parties |
| Bavo Cathedral along with the St. Nicholas Church | | | | and open markets. |