Historical places

The following places are unique in Flanders and perhaps even in the world:

Graslei and Korenlei

Historisch centrum/Graslei-site

[Graslei route ]

Ask ten inhabitants of Ghent what the most beautiful place in their city is and nine will answer the Graslei.

Patershol

Historisch centrum/Gravensteen-site

[Patershol route ]

Authentic medieval district in the shadow of the Castle of the Counts. Today the Patershol is the place to be for those who appreciate fine food and drink.

Old St Elizabeth Beguinage

Historisch centrum/Gravensteen-site

[Oud Begijnhof route ]

Ghent has no fewer than three authentic beguinages, all of which are recognised by UNESCO as world heritage sites. This is one...

Small Beguinage O.L.V. ter Hoyen

Kunstenkwartier/Zuid-site

[Klein Begijnhof route ]

The Small Beguinage was founded in 1235. Today...

Great Beguinage

[Groot Begijnhof route ]

This exceptionally large beguinage is relatively young: it was built between 1873 and 1874 as ...

Prinsenhof

Historisch centrum/Gravensteen-site

[Prinsenhof route ]

In the 14th century, Lodewijk van Male swapped the Castle of the Counts, which had grown uncomfortable, for a town house in this neighbourhood. It was here that Charles V was born in 1500. The Prinsenhof, as it was called then (and still is), was around 2 hectares in size and fully walled.