📖 About Ghent

Ghent is Belgium's third-largest city and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval urban landscapes. With approximately 265,000 inhabitants, this Flemish city at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers combines stunning Gothic architecture, world-class art, vibrant student culture, and contemporary creativity. Many visitors consider Ghent Belgium's most rewarding city, offering Bruges' beauty without the tourist crowds.

The city's medieval wealth, built on the cloth trade, left an extraordinary architectural legacy. The three towers of St. Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry, and St. Nicholas' Church create one of Europe's most impressive cityscapes. St. Bavo's houses the Ghent Altarpiece, the van Eyck brothers' masterpiece considered one of the most influential paintings in Western art history.

Modern Ghent pulses with energy from Ghent University's 70,000 students. The city embraces sustainability, vegetarian cuisine, and contemporary culture while preserving its heritage. The Graslei and Korenlei waterfront, illuminated at night, creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Ghent proves that medieval grandeur and progressive values can thrive together.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Ghent's economy combines education, technology, and services. Ghent University and its hospital are major employers; biotech and pharmaceutical companies have clustered nearby. The historic port continues operating, though reduced from industrial heydays. Tourism grows steadily as visitors discover Ghent's appeal. The city has developed a thriving creative economy in design, gaming, and digital industries.

Cultural life in Ghent thrives on student energy and Flemish creativity. The Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten) in July transforms the city into Europe's largest cultural event. Street art legally adorns walls throughout the city. Vegetarian dining is celebrated—Ghent pioneered "Veggie Thursday" and has exceptional plant-based restaurants. Beer culture remains strong, with local breweries and historic cafes. The Flemish language and distinct Ghent dialect characterize local identity.

📜 History

Ghent's strategic river location supported settlement from Roman times. By the 14th century, Ghent was one of Europe's largest cities, rivaling Paris in population and wealth. The cloth trade created enormous prosperity, funding the churches and guild halls that survive today. The van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece (1432) epitomized the city's cultural achievement.

Habsburg rule, religious wars, and economic shifts brought decline. Spanish suppression and Dutch competition reduced Ghent's prominence. Industrial revolution revived the textile industry, making 19th-century Ghent a major cotton center. World Wars brought occupation and hardship. Post-war restoration preserved the medieval core while the university drove revival. Today's Ghent has become a model of sustainable urbanism and cultural vitality, increasingly recognized as Belgium's most livable and creative city.