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Ghent (Gent) - Culture |
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Gent is the fourth largest city of Belgium (approx.250.000 inhabitants). It is not as big as Antwerp but bigger than Bruges. It is also less famous among tourists than the often praised Bruges. However, for some people Gent is the real diamond of Flanders and Belgium.
Modern Gent certainly cannot be overlooked in Belgium. The city has an important harbour, thanks to the canal Gent-Terneuzen which allows sea-going vessels to bring their products to the city and its industrial hinterland. Because of the central location in the country, the 'Flanders Technology' fair can regularly be organized. The Belgian State University (RUG = Rijksuniversiteit Gent) continues to grow in importance. The presence of so many young people and students has turned Gent into an important Flemish cultural centre. Gent is also the flower city of Belgium. Flower growers from the region around Gent sell their beautiful Begonia's and Azalea's all over the world. Every 5 years the successful 'Gentse Floraliën" ( Gent Flower Show) attracts thousands to the city. The tourist will not have eyes enough to admire the awesome architectural wealth , which offers a splendid combination of impressiveness and idyllic charm of the proud and (in former times) often rebellious city of Gent. Text and Photos provided by: http://www.trabel.com |
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the city by its most famous citizen, Emperor Charles V. In
1537 Gent had refused to pay more taxes for a new war of
Charles V against the king of France. To deal with his
rebellious birth-city for once and for all, Charles V had the
city walls destroyed. He also abolished most of the city's
privileges and ordered the most important citizens to appear
before him to ask for mercy while carrying a rope around their
necks, as a sign that they were ready to be hanged if the
Emperor would order it.
In
a unique way Gent has managed to preserve its medieval power while
keeping up with the times. The city cent