Ghent Photo Gallery - Town Centre

Heading back to the town centre, I passed through the old harbour, where ships have docked since the 11 century along the River Lys. On the western bank is Korenlei, home to mostly 18th century merchants' houses. Across on the eastern side is Graslei, which also has beautiful buildings on offer. These were for the guilds that worked the boats, weighed the grain, and built the town. There was also a customs office and grain store. A good spot to observe the action is on the Grasbrug bridge. The next bridge over is St. Michielsbrug, which offers the best view of town. It was built in 1913 for visitors to the Great Exhibition to enjoy these views. Behind it is a Gothic church whose construction started in the mid-15th century. Crossing the bridge heading east, the town's buildings turn very grand. The former post office has a striking 52m-tall clock tower that has been converted into a shopping centre and small boutique hotel. During the 19th century, there was a movement to restore Ghent's medieval power, and this building was constructed between 1898 and 1909 with designs by Louis Cloquet in Neo-Gothic and Renaissance styles. The post office operated until 2001. Behind it is the Korenmarkt, a huge publicsquare where grain once traded after being unloaded from the boats at nearby Graslei. The next square over is Groentenmarkt, which had a darker history as an execution yard, and more recently, a vegetable market. The bridge over the river leads you to the castle.