TRAVELS AND TOURS

        GHENT(GENT), BELGIUM.

 

     Ever heard of Racing Gent FC or KAA Gent FC??
Today on travels and tours,we will be visting the beautiful city of Ghent. Most people go to places like The U.S,The UK,Paris etc for vacation and tourism purposes forgetting that some places in the world are a site to behold. Someone once said 'A good traveler is one who knows how to travel with his mind',so join me as we travel to Ghent. Forgive me for not talking about Belgium as a whole but that city fascinates me a lot.
      Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers.
  Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe with some 50,000 people. Today,it is a busy city with
a Seaport and a University.
                                      

   Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest Car free area in Belgium. Interesting highlights are the Saint Bravo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, Graventeen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent established a nice blend between comfort of living and history – it is not a city-museum. The city of Ghent also houses three béguinages and numerous churches including the Saint-Jacob's church, the Saint-Nicolas' church and the Saint Michael's church.
     In the 19th century Ghent's most famous architect, Louis Rholois ,built the university hall Aula, the opera house and the main courthouse. Highlights of modern architecture are the university buildings (the Boekentoren or Book Tower) by Henry Van de Velde. There are also a few theatres from diverse periods. The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999. The Zebrastraat, a social experiment in which an entirely. renovated site unites living, economy and culture, can also be found in Ghent....

    Thanks for travelling with me..hope you enjoyed it..Join me next time for another edition of travels and tours..