St Bavo’s Cathedral

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Historisch centrum/Torens-site

[Sint-Baafskathedraal ]

When Charles V was baptised there in 1500, the metamorphosis from a closed Romanesque church to a spacious Gothic one was fully underway. However, despite substantial financial support from the emperor, the cathedral still remained unfinished 58 years later. As a result, the funeral service for the deceased sovereign could not take place there. All that remains of the original Romanesque church is the crypt.

St. Bavo’s Cathedral houses an impressive number of art treasures: the baroque high altar in white, black and red flamed marble, the rococo pulpit in oak, gilded wood and marble, a major work by Rubens, the ‘Calvary Triptych’, attributed to Joos van Wassenhove, alias Justus van Gent, tombs of the Ghent bishops, and much more. However, one work stands out head and shoulders above the rest: the world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyck around 1432.

If you’re brave enough to walk the 444 steps of the tower, you’ll be rewarded with a unique view of the city.

Entrance fee

Free

Opening hours

From 1st April until 31st October
Monday to Saturday from 8.30h until 18h
Sunday from 13h until 18h
From 1st November until 31st March
Monday to Saturday from 8.30h until 17h
Sunday from 13h until 17h

Admission until 10’ before closing time
The tower is only open during the Ghent Festivities (4th week of July) from 11h until 18h

Closing day

1st January, religious holidays in the morning, during church services.

Contact address

Sint-Baafsplein
T. + 32 9 269 20 45
e-mail: sint-baafskathedraal@kerknet.be
www.sintbaafskathedraal.be (available in Dutch and English)