St Bavo's Cathedral

Standing before the towering facade of Saint Bah-vos Cathedral, you are looking at a site that has been dedicated to worship for over a thousand years. The origins of this grand structure date back to 942 AD, when a chapel…

Our journey begins deep beneath the current cathedral floor in the Romanesque Crypt. This is the oldest part of the building, where you can still find traces of the mid-twelfth-century church that preceded the Gothic structure. …

Emerging from the crypt into the main nave, the sheer scale of Saint Bah-vos becomes apparent. The interior is spacious and solemn, a masterpiece of Gothic design where every line leads the eye toward the heavens. …

Located in one of the side chapels is a site of immense historical significance: the baptismal font of Charles the Fifth. Born in Gent in 1500, Charles would go on to become the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of Spain, and the…

We now come to the crown jewel of Saint Bah-vos: the 'Gent Altarpiece,' or 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.' Completed in 1432 by the brothers Hubert and Yan van Eyck, this twenty-four-panel polyptych is widely regarded as one…

To enhance the experience of the Mystic Lamb, the cathedral has opened a state-of-the-art visitor center in the crypt and side chapels. This project was the highlight of the 'Flemish Masters' initiative and uses cutting-edge…

While the Mystic Lamb is the primary draw, the rest of the cathedral is filled with other outstanding works of art that deserve your attention. In the transept, you can find a magnificent painting by the famous Flemish artist…

As you prepare to leave the hushed grandeur of Saint Bah-vos and return to the vibrant streets of Gent, take a final moment to reflect on what you have witnessed. This cathedral is more than just a building; it is a miracle that…