I went to Ghent, Belgium to see the
Ghent Altarpiece, a 15th century work attributed to the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck. I previously mentioned the book
"Stealing the Mystic Lamb" which tells the history of this great work of art. The altarpiece is inside
Saint Bavo's Cathedral. In the back of the cathedral below we see the belfry of Ghent.
The altarpiece is being restored and you can see the restoration on this
site.
We also visited Saint Nicholas:
The canals here are lovely with elegant buildings that do not lean like the ones in Amsterdam.
I enjoyed strolling the market square.
And there was a little shop here that sold the best chocolate ever.
Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke has the BEST chocolate I have ever tasted. It's a good thing I do not live in Ghent, LOL.
Are you familiar with the Ghent Altarpiece? Do you know of its long history? What great works of art have you seen or would you like to see?
Bonus: Daylily 'Golden Prize'
Please note, I am off to Canada later this morning to attend a funeral. I will be answering comments later than usual. At least I have Sunday to catch up on comments and blogs.
Sorry to hear about the funeral. May you have safe travels and I hope you don't have too long a drive ahead. Love your yellow flower! Yes, I know this great work of art and will look at the site after posting here. I would love to visit this place...need to add it to my list of places to go. I have been so lucky to have seen many grea works of art from many Vermeer and Rembrandts to Bruegel, Titian, Tintoretto, Durer, the list goes on. I could not imagine my world without looking at great art. I can't imagine not reading about art or looking at the pictures and I have been blessed to see so many great works in the most famous art museums. I still have to go to London, Rome and Florence...oh and Berlin, ...ell you get the idea.
ReplyDeleteI love art but unfortunately I never seem to have enough time to spend in museums when I travel. I only had to go twenty minutes from the tunnel, but we managed to get lost. I haven't driven there in quite some time.
DeleteBeautiful pictures, as usual, Denise. Travel safely to your destination and I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteAnother favorite city! Have you seen the movie The Monuments Men? It features the Ghent Altarpiece.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie and made sure to see some of the treasures from this area.
DeleteSorry for your loss. I am loving your Grand Tour, though.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying it. Thank you.
DeleteWow! I haven't heard about the place or seen something as beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss!
Thank you. Belgium is a very beautiful country.
DeleteSorry about the circumstances, but Welcome to Canada. Hope your trip goes smoothly. I was not familiar with the Ghent Altarpiece. Both it and the cathedral are stunning! Your photos really bring them to life. Belgian chocolate is divine.
ReplyDeleteGoogle said to go right when my gut told me left. Go with your gut. My sister wanted to look for my aunt's old home and I just pointed and said it's a couple blocks north.
DeleteJust gorgeous pictures. Think I'm going to have to add some of these places to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteCalen~
Impromptu Promptlings
A to Z Challenge Letter F
I have heard of Ghent and the altarpiece. I have not seen it except in photos but maybe someday...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely place to visit! We learned about the altar in high school, I would love to see it with my own eyes...
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary: WTF - Weird Things in Folktales
I'd like to see it after it is all restored. The book I mentioned is fascinating.
DeleteOh, that market square! Just lovely.
ReplyDeleteNever made it to Ghent nor do I know of the altar piece. What fabulous cathedrals though - nobody builds anything like these today, too expensive I guess.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the funeral - where in Canada?
In Windsor. My mother's oldest sister lived there with her family. I still have lots of cousins in Windsor and Leamington.
DeleteI imagine that altarpiece is very impressive up close.
ReplyDeleteIt is very impressive. The story of its history even more so.
DeleteI have just read "Daffodil: Biography of a Flower" by Helen O'Neill, a beautiful and well written book only just released this year, your daffodil photograph reminded me of the book.
ReplyDeleteG is for Getting employment as a new arrival
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Sandra, Aspiring family historian, fellow participant in the #AtoZchallenge
Sandra's Ancestral Research Journal
Sorry to hear that you've had to head to Canada for a funeral :-(
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures - so very picturesque.
What a beautiful building and the whole area around - I went to Ghent very briefly years ago when we spent a day in Bruges, and would love to go back. I'm with you about the chocolate, I'd be dreadful if I lived there.
ReplyDeletePamela @ Highlands Days of Fun
This is the first I have heard about the Ghent altarpiece. Ghent looks like a marvelous city to visit. Sorry about your loss.
ReplyDelete