Sint-Baafskathedraal
Saint Bavo's Cathedral is the oldest parish church in Ghent. The foundations of this red brick and stone building are based on the original chapel of St. John the Baptist, with a mainly wooden structure, consecrated by Transmarus, bishop of Tournai and Noyon, in 942. In its place, in the 12th century, a cruciform church under the same call was built. Traces of this Romanesque building can be found in the richly decorated crypt of the cathedral. There are no remains of this temple outside. Over time, the Romanesque church began to give way to the Gothic cathedral.
The history of the construction of Saint Bavo's Cathedral
At the beginning of the 14th century, the presbytery was renovated in the Scheldt Gothic style. The crypt was enlarged to a size equal to the size of the presbytery, creating the largest crypt in Belgium. Ambit (bypass, a narrow passage in church architecture created by extending the side aisles and leading them around the presbytery, behind the main altar) and the chapel finials come from the 15th century. Then the western tower of the temple was built (height 82 meters).
In the year 1602, the wooden dome of the tower burned down due to a lightning strike. It was never rebuilt.
The construction of the main nave, transept and eight side chapels began in 1553. The towers and later parts of the chapel were built in the Brabant Gothic style. Not only is there a difference in styles, but also a contrast between the blue Tournai granite used to build the presbytery and the sandstone and brick used to build the naves.
The construction of the main nave, transept and eight side chapels began in 1553. The towers and later parts of the chapel were built in the Brabant Gothic style. Not only is there a difference in styles, but also a contrast between the blue Tournai granite used to build the presbytery and the sandstone and brick used to build the naves.
Treasures of Saint Bavo's Cathedral
As a result of the rebellion against Emperor Charles V, the old abbey of St. Bavon was dissolved. The abbot and the monks had to move to the church of St. John, which received a new patron and became the church of St. Bavon. In the year 1559 the diocese of Gent (Ghent) was founded, and the church of St. Bavon was raised to the rank of cathedral.
The rich baroque interior of the church is the result of the efforts of one of the longest-ruling bishops in Ghent, Antonius Triest. The cathedral was plundered by iconoclasts twice, in 1566 and 1578. The restoration of the church began in 2006. In the 18th century, the cathedral had a carillon with 39 bells. Today, only three bells remain in the tower. Inside the temple there are many wonderful works of world-famous art.
The rich baroque interior of the church is the result of the efforts of one of the longest-ruling bishops in Ghent, Antonius Triest. The cathedral was plundered by iconoclasts twice, in 1566 and 1578. The restoration of the church began in 2006. In the 18th century, the cathedral had a carillon with 39 bells. Today, only three bells remain in the tower. Inside the temple there are many wonderful works of world-famous art.
Painting Adoration of the Mystical Lamb
this is the greatest treasure that the cathedral hides. This wonderful polyptych is one of the greatest images of medieval painting. This work by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, consisting of 12 paintings-tablets, presents the history of biblical man from the fall in paradise to redemption. The main part shows the adoration of the Lamb of God. The painting was commissioned by Judocus Vijdt, senior councilor of Ghent in 1432. This work is exhibited in the chapel to the left of the entrance.
This world-class polyptych is 3,6 m high and 4,8 m wide. It consists of twelve panels in two rows, four in the center and four on each wing, painted on both sides. Twenty-four distinct but thematically related works show a different view depending on whether the altar is open or closed.
This world-class polyptych is 3,6 m high and 4,8 m wide. It consists of twelve panels in two rows, four in the center and four on each wing, painted on both sides. Twenty-four distinct but thematically related works show a different view depending on whether the altar is open or closed.
This phenomenal work was painted extremely realistically, based on direct observations. For the first time, such realism and mastery in using oil paints were shown. There are no idealized ancient silhouettes or flattening of the image, typical of medieval works. Each character painted by the van Eyck brothers was depicted in great detail. This incredible attention to detail can be seen in the presented buildings, landscape elements, vegetation, fabrics and animals.
The history of this work is also unique. In 1556 it escaped the fate of other works of art destroyed during the iconoclast revolt. In later years, the painting survived a fire. In the Puritan 18th century, by order of Emperor Joseph II, the painting with naked Adam and Eve was replaced by a copy with the first parents clothed (this copy is still exhibited in the Vijdt Chapel). During Napoleon's times, the central part of the work went to the Louvre, from where it returned only after the emperor's death.
The altarpiece commissioned from Hubert van Eyck after his death, in 1426, was completed by the younger brother Jan van Eyck. In the cathedral you will also find paintings by such masters as: Peter Paul Rubens, Joos van Wassenhove, and Hieronymus Duquesnoy the Younger.
The altarpiece commissioned from Hubert van Eyck after his death, in 1426, was completed by the younger brother Jan van Eyck. In the cathedral you will also find paintings by such masters as: Peter Paul Rubens, Joos van Wassenhove, and Hieronymus Duquesnoy the Younger.
Adres:
Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgie https://www.sintbaafskathedraal.be/ Cathedral opening hours:
Monday-Saturday: 8.30-17.30 Sunday: 13.00-17.30 |
Ticket price:
Visiting the cathedral: free Viewing image: 12,50 Euro Opening hours of the chapel with the painting:
Monday-Saturday:10.00-17.00 Sunday: 13.00-17.00 |