- Address: Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Phone: +32 9 269 20 45
- Opening: 942
- Height: 89 m
- The cost of the visit: 4 euros, schoolchildren - 3 euros
Entering Ghent , not one tourist wondered, but did he accidentally get on the fantastic voyage of the time machine that brought him to the Middle Ages? And it's not surprising. The city gradually envelops its atmosphere, and no, no, but it seems that now the market bell will ring, gathering people to the central square, where the pompous burgomaster will broadcast his will to the citizens. And, of course, ancient castles and temples are an integral part of the city's architecture. One of such majestic structures in Ghent is the Catholic Cathedral of St. Bavo.
What is interesting Cathedral of St. Bavo?
Certainly, the architecture and internal organization of the temple deserves a close attention of the tourist. In its structure it is a three-nave cathedral with a transept, a caplet crown and a choir. The latter is made in the strict traditions of French Gothic and with large windows. At the same time, the naves are accompanied by smaller windows, the decoration of which bears the features of the late Brabant Gothic. All this in the aggregate leaves very strong impressions and makes us bow to the majesty and beauty of what we saw. In addition, St. Bavo's Cathedral has four organs, two of which are located in the central hall. This fact allows you to quite often hold concerts of classical and cathedral music, to enjoy listening to which anyone can.
However, the most famous detail of the interior design, thanks to which the cathedral of Saint Bavo is famous, is the legendary Ghent altar. This is the greatest work in the field of painting in the history of mankind. It seemed as if certain contradictions of human nature were connected, but trying to keep it on canvas, its creators managed to create a leisurely story, which is full of details and at the same time retains a mysterious understatement. The filigree work of the masters of Hubert and Jan van Eyck raises admiration and, to some extent, admiration for their talent. The altar consists of 24 panels, and in its expanded form its width reaches 5 m.
In addition to the priceless Ghent altar, the Cathedral of St. Bavo has a number of other works of art, which bear a lot of cultural value for the whole of Belgium . For example, here you can see a painting by Peter Rubens "The Appeal of Saint Bavo", paintings by Gaspard de Cryer and Frans Purbus the Younger. Considerable value also has a wooden chair in the style of rococo, carved from oak and marble, the authorship of which belongs to the Flemish sculptor Laurent Delvaux.
Practical information for tourists
The Cathedral of St. Bavo opens its doors to everyone who wants to enjoy the ancient architecture and majestic works of art, but, alas, not free. The cost of entering the temple is 4 euros for adults and 3 euros for schoolchildren. In addition, for small groups of 15 people there are small discounts. Only 1 euro to the rental audio guide available, but it only broadcasts in three languages - English, German and French.
To get to the Catholic Cathedral of St. Bavon in Ghent will not be difficult. You need to proceed to the stop of Gent Duivelsteen, where you will take a tram number 1, 4, 24, or bus number 3, 17, 18, 38, 39.
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