Gent, Belgium

26 AUG 2007

I grabbed one of the first trains from Antwerp to Gent on Sunday morning. I was all too happy to be leaving "Stinky" hotel. No problems with the trip from Antwerp to Gent and I was very relieved. Two train errors in two weekends was plenty. I arrived in Gent plenty early, it was only about 9:30. Immediately when I exited the train station, I felt safer than I had when I was walking around Antwerp. I appreciated the feeling and happily made my way from the station to Gravensteen.

On my way, I walked along the beautiful canals. I was reminded of the canals in Bruges, but found myself thinking that the water in Gent looked much more clean than it did in Bruges. It was a calm morning and the buildings reflected in smooth glassy surface.

Beautiful Canals



When I made it to the castle, I was happier than could be. This is what I have been waiting for, I thought... It's not as romantic as one might imaging it because the castle is nestled in the middle of the city with buildings all around it. Somehow when I imagined it, I thought it would be up on a hill with nothing else around. (You know, like in the movies.) But really it does make sense; the castle used to be the center of it all so it's not surprising that the city has been built up around it.

Gravensteen (The Castle!!!)




Gravensteen has an interesting history. Originally, it was the castle of the Count of Flanders and used as a residence for the count when he was in town to maintain the law and order. Later Gravensteen was a prison where the prisoners were housed 6 meters under ground in awful conditions. The castle now houses a room of armor and a room of medieval torture instruments. Both were very interesting, but I still shudder when I think about the awful ways they tortured people back in medieval times.

One can now wander from room to room in the castle and around the grounds for a small entrance fee. I slowly made my way though all of the rooms (including: the cellar, the chapel, the torture room, the grand hall/dining room, the tower) soaking it all in and imagining what it would have been like back in medieval times.

Views from the Top of the Castle

At the top of the tower, I met a couple of young women who were nice enough to snap a picture of me. I think the view from the tower is better than the view of me, but (pretty of not) now I have proof that I was there.



After leaving Gravensteen, I wandered the old town. I buzzed from point to point so that I wouldn't miss anything. It was nice that I picked up a map on Saturday and planned my route so that I could be sure not to miss any of the important sites. Unfortunately, the thing about spending only a day in Gent is that you really don't have time to do much but walk past most of the beautiful buildings, rather than go in most of them.

Groote Vleeshuis

Those are actual hams hanging from the ceiling.


5 Meter Cannon (never tested)


Vrijdag Markt
Wanna buy a pet on the market square?


Patershol (The Medieval Quarter)



The Churches

I really wish I would have had more time to go into the churches. The look so beautiful from the outside, but I am sure that they are even more striking on the inside.



At 2:00 I had to start making my way back to the train station and back to Maastricht.

Meandering Back to the Train Station


I kept my eyes open for a chocolate shop on the way, but was disappointed that I did not find one open on any of the streets that I walked. I guess I should have asked for chocolate shop tips from my Belgian friend, Daniel, as well as sight seeing insights. I'll just have to find the chocolate shops next time I'm in Gent.