Sign in with Facebook"Gent, an underrated city" Gent by tompt
Gent Travel Guide: 1,406 reviews and 3,613 photos
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.
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.
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
Reviews (17)
great ambiance
Restaurants
(1)
Our mini meeting in november 2003 was brought to this restaurant by Luc. He spoke highly of it, and was right. The... more travel advice
Ghent, not as famous as Bruges
Favorites
(1)
Ghent, the capitol of West Flanders is not as famous in the tourist route as Bruges. But that is maybe not quit... more travel advice
Kwak
Nightlife
(4)
In de Dulle Griet you can order a Kwak. A belgian beer served in a big long glas. The trick is to drink it very slowly,... more travel advice
atmosphere
Nightlife
(4)
This pub is a good example of the pubs in Gent. There is a great atmosphere inside. The interior is looking old, but... more travel advice
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Comments (4)
I think I will visit Gent next month. Ciao!
Lovely photos of a lovely city. Great page.
A very great page of Gent and of our meeting! The pictures in the resto must have been taken before I died on the salad `-) The pic in the tlogues of the sun dial is plain beautiful!
Hi folks - nice report on my beloved hometown ! Catch you saterday in nowhere city Antwerp!