- Address: Botermarkt 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Phone: +32 9 266 51 11
- Website: www.gent.be
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 17:00, Sunday is a day off
- Ticket price: 5 euros
Ghent Town Hall is undoubtedly the property of the city dwellers, because it represents a rich architectural ensemble, attracting with its luxury both appearance and interior decoration. This medieval architectural monument is located on Botermarkt Square in Belgian Ghent, just 500 m south-east of the other landmark of the city - Grafsky Castle .
What interesting things can you see in the town hall?
The Town Hall building can not be confused with anything, since the first thing that catches your eye is the combination of two completely different architectural styles. The earlier part of the building is made in a strict and restrained Gothic style, decorated with arches and openwork stone decoration. Inside the building, in the niches you will see sculptures of the counts of Flanders. Gothic features are also present in interiors, in the decoration of halls and wooden arches.
The later building of the Town Hall was already executed in the Renaissance style, according to the models of the Italian palazzo of that time. Luxury facades are decorated with columns and pilasters, and the southern facade is crowned with a pediment with a round window.
To date, the Town Hall is an exceptionally tourist destination. Richly decorated rooms will not leave you indifferent. Here you can see the Hall for solemn receptions and the throne room, the mayor's office, the arsenal hall decorated with wooden arches, the chapel with stained-glass windows and even the Hall of Peace, famous for the fact that in 1576 it was signed "Gentian pacification".
Most of the interiors of the Town Hall dates back to the 19th century, however, the decorator Villé-le-Duc used the architectural techniques of the 15th century to decorate the palace. The painting looks very realistic and imperceptibly transfers visitors to the Middle Ages, which are far from us.
How to get there?
You can reach the Town Hall of Ghent by public transport - by tram or bus. You need to take the tram number 1, 4 or 24 or bus number 3, 17, 18, 38 or 39. The exit stop is called Gent Korenmarkt.
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