Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Ghent

To my big surprise I found this statue of Father Damian inside Sint-Niklaaskerk. I had come across this name, when I followed a story on Oahu some decades ago - and had ended in Kalaupapa, a peninsula of Molokai. Father Damien (aka "Saint Damien of Molokai") was born in 1840 as Jef de Veuster in Tremelo, about 80kms east of Ghent. From 1864 on, he worked as a missionary on Hawaiʻi (aka "Big Island"). During that time, under the reign of Kamehameha V., the last Hawaiian King, people suffering from leprosy, believed to be incurable, were brought to Molokai, where they were isolated on Kaulapapa, a peninsula that could only be reached from the sea. Upto 1200 persons lived here in total isolation and without any medical care, as leprosy was believed to be highly infective. After Father Damien had learned about that situation, he decided to settle in the leprosy colony, what he did in 1873. He erected a church on Kalaupapa and cared for his suffering parishioners. After 16 years in the leper colony, Father Damien died of leprosy in 1889. He was canonized in 2009.

The erection of the Sint-Niklaaskerk (= Saint Nicholas' Church) started in the 13th century and replaced earlier Romanesque church here. It was built in a Gothic style, that later got typical for the area. This is not the bishop´s chathedral. This church, located next to the busy Kornmarkt, was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants, sailors, coopers and pawnbrokers. So the guilds greatly funded this building. Later the guilds even had their own chapels, added to the sides of the church.

Standing on the steps to the Saint Bavo Cathedral (= Sint Baafskathedraal), that was hidden under scaffoldings in spring 2015. Seen here is the 91-metre-tall Belfort van Gent, a medieval tower overlooking the centre of Ghent. The construction of the belfry began around 1313. It was completed in 1380 and a gilded dragon got its place atop the tower. The uppermost parts of the tower have been rebuilt several times. The stone spire of today replaced a neoGothic one, that was demolished around 1912. The hall adjoining the belfry was built to headquarter the affairs of the cloth trade from 1425 to 1445. Inside, woollens were officially inspected and measured; transactions were negotiated. When the cloth trade declined, other business and offices moved in but as the guild still exists, there is still a room for them here. Sint-Niklaaskerk is seen in the backdrop.

Sint-Niklaaskerk (= Saint Nicholas' Church) as seen from the bridge over the Leie river. The erection of this large church started in the 13th century and replaced earlier Romanesque church here. It was built in a Gothic style, that later got typical for the area. This is not the bishop´s chathedral. This church, located next to the busy Kornmarkt, was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants, sailors, coopers and pawnbrokers. So the guilds greatly funded this building. Later the guilds even had their own chapels, added to the sides of the church. Until the Belfry of Ghent, seen in the backdrop, was built, Sint-Niklaaskerk´s tower served as an observation post and carried the town bells.

The Graslei is a quay in the center of Ghent, located on the right bank of the Leie river. It was part of the medieval port and by now is a major touristic spot. Most of the current houses on the Graslei date back to the Middle Ages, although the monumental façades have been heavily modified in the 18th and 19th century.

Behind the streetcafes is this impressive building on the Vrijdagmarkt. Written under the red "BONDMOYSON" is in golden letters "WERKLIEDEN ALLER LANDEN VEREENIGT U", what translates to "Workers of the world, unite!". This is a slogan from the Communist Manifesto by Marx and Engels, where it sounds (in German) "Proletarier aller Laender vereinigt euch". Emiel Moyson, after whom the "BOND MOYSON" is named was a founder and strong supporter of the first trade unions in Belgium. He was a member (No. 37) of the "International Workingmen's Association" (aka "First International"), representing the Genth area. He died, only 30 years old in 1868. www.canonsociaalwerk.eu/be/details.php?cps=9

Since 1863 the massive statue of Jacob van Artevelde marks the center of the Vrijdagmarkt. Jacob van Artevelde was a political leader in Flanders during the times of the Hundred Years’ War. Through his efforts it was psosible to undo the boycott of English wool imports and so revive the textiles industry in Ghent. But times were uneasy and violent. In 1345 he was murdered during a riot by an angry mob. Seen in the backdrop is the Sint-Jacobskerk, a place where pilgrims met since the 11th century. The church seen was erected from 1120 on, but largely altered over the centuries. The large crossing tower dates to the 13th century.

Left of the coffee-shop is the "Bakkerij Himschoot", the oldest bakery in Ghent, founded 1880, though the legend tells, that bread was produced in this house, named the "De Croone" since the 17th century. www.bakkerijhimschoot.be/ Right of the coffee-shop is the mustard factory "Tierenteyn-Verlent". The Tierenteyn-family produces mustard in Ghent since 1790, but meanwhile offers as well pickles, chutneys and mayonnaise. www.tierenteyn-verlent.be/ Both companies are very recommendable!