Ghent
The Flemish city of art Ghent is a popular tourist destination thanks to the historic town centre with its old guild houses and beautiful canals. Right in the centre rises the medieval castle Gravensteen from which the Counts of Flanders used to rule. On the 'Graslei' are a number of guild houses with different building styles, such as the masons’ guild house and the Toll House.
At the end of the 18th century Ghent became one of the first industrial cities in Europe thanks to the cotton industry. Opposite the belfry in the centre of the city is the Ghent cloth hall. In the city are as many as three beguinages, other attractions are the St. Bavo Cathedral and St.-Niklaas church. Much of the centre of Ghent is a car free zone, which makes it an ideal city for strolling around and shopping. Beautiful Ghent with its many markets, interesting museums, pleasant terraces and historic buildings and monuments is definitely worth a visit.
