"Gent, an underrated city" Gent by tompt

The capitol of the province Oost-Vlaanderen is Ghent (in Dutch : Gent), the fourth largest city of Belgium with about 250.000 inhabitants. It is not as famous Bruges. Ghent has preserved its mediaeval things but also kept up with the times. The city center shows mediaeval Flemish wealth and commercial success. The city has an important modern harbor. It is also a student city, studying at the Belgian State University (RUG = Rijksuniversiteit Gent) it has turned Ghent into an important Flemish cultural center.

Gonnie trying her Stropke, a gift from Luc

The people of Ghent proudly wear the nickname 'Stropke', which is the rope through which a convict has to stick his head before being hanged.
In 1537 Ghent refused to pay more taxes to enable Charles V to fight a new war against the king of France. To punish his rebellious birth-city Charles V had the city walls destroyed. He also took away 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.
The people of Ghent had already experienced this under Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy in 1458. Duke Philip was punishing the citizens for their uprising of 1448.

The citizens of Ghent wear their Stropkes proud during the Gentse Feesten, a week of partying in the summer.

Luc is telling stories about Ghent

We visited Ghent only once, but we will surely visit again.

During our visit in november 2003 we were guided by Luc (luchonda). He is a citizen of Ghent and probably the best ambassador they can find.

More info about Ghent: http://www.gent.be