GENT, BELGIUM

I HAVE BEEN WANTING TO MAKE MY WAY TO GHENT FOR SOME TIME.   I HAVE AN "ILLEGAL" STARBUCKS MUG FROM GHENT SO I NEEDED TO MAKE SURE I VISITED THIS MIDEVIL CITY IN BELGIUM.  WE CONSIDERED OURSELVES LUCKY AS THE SUN WAS SHINING.  THEY HAD THEIR CHRISTMAS MARKET AS WELL!  WE TOOK SOME TIME TO LOOK INTO SAINT BAVO'S CATHEDRAL.  THE CURRENT CHURCH DATES BACK TO 1569.  IT IS HOME TO THE PRIZED BELGIAN MASTERPIECE, THE ADORATION OF THE MYSTIC LAMB.  PHOTOS WERE  NOT ALLOWED IN THE CATHEDRAL, ALTHOUGH I DID TAKE A FEW (OOPS!)   THE PHOTO OF THE FAMOUS PAINTING IS FROM THE INTERNET.  IT IS A MASSIVE CHURCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS RECENTLY GONE UNDER A MAJOR RENOVATION.   EVERYTHING WAS SUPER BRIGHT AND CLEAN.  THEY WERE STILL WORKING ON THE EXTERIOR.   I HOPE TO RETURN TO GENT ONCE MORE BECAUSE THERE IS A CASTLE WHICH I HEAR IS A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT.  

 

ST. BAVO'S CATHEDRAL

ADORATION OF THE MYSTIC LAMB

CHRISTMAS MARKET - BELGIAN STYLE

"SPRING OF THE BEREAVED"    BY GENT ARTIST, GEORGE MINNE.   THIS STATUE WAS PLACED IN THIS PARK IN 1937 AND WAS QUITE CONTROVERSIAL OVER THE NUDE YOUNGSTERS LOOKING AT THEIR REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER OF THE FOUNTAIN.  LUCKILY NOWADAYS NO ONE BATS AN EYE AT THE NUDITY AND JUST CAN SEE A BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE.