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St. Baafskathedraal (Cathedral of St. Bavo) |
it's the oldest parish church in Ghent. Tourists usually start exploring Ghent from this place. The foundations of this red brick and stone building are based on the original chapel of St. John the Baptist, with a construction mainly wooden, consecrated by Transmarus, bishop Tournai and Noyon, in the 942 year.
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St. Bavo's Cathedral.
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In its place in the 12th century was built, on the cruciform, the church under the same call. Traces of this Romanesque church can still be seen in the richly decorated crypt of the cathedral. There are no more remains of this temple outside. Over time, the Romanesque church began to give way to the Gothic cathedral.
At the beginning of the fourteenth century, the presbytery was renovated, in the Gothic Scheldt style. The crypt was enlarged to the size of the presbytery, creating the largest crypt in Belgium. Ambit (bypass, in church architecture a narrow passage resulting from the extension of the side naves and leading them around the presbytery, behind the main altar) and the wreath of chapels come from the fifteenth century. Then, the west tower of the temple was erected (height 82 meters). In year 1602 the wooden dome of the tower was burned down by a lightning strike. It has never been rebuilt. The construction of the nave, transept and eight side chapels began in 1553 year. The towers and the later parts of the chapel were built in the Brabant Gothic style. Visible is not only the difference in styles, but also the contrast between the blue granite of Tournai, used to build the presbytery, and sandstone and brick, which used to build the naves. |
As a result of the pronouncement against the Emperor Charles V, the old abbey of Saint Bavo was resolved. The abbot and the monks had to move to the church of St. John, who received a new patron and became the church of Saint Bavo. In the year 1559, the Ghent diocese was founded, and the church of Saint Bavo was raised to the rank of the 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. Twice, in 1566 and 1578 year, the cathedral was plundered by iconoclasts. The church is being renewed since the 2006 year. In the 18th century, the cathedral had a carillon with 39 bells. Today on the tower there are only three bells. Inside the temple there are many wonderful works of world-renown 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. Twice, in 1566 and 1578 year, the cathedral was plundered by iconoclasts. The church is being renewed since the 2006 year. In the 18th century, the cathedral had a carillon with 39 bells. Today on the tower there are only three bells. Inside the temple there are many wonderful works of world-renown art.
THE CATHEDRAL TREASURES:
Painting Adoration of the Mystical Lamb it is the greatest treasure hidden in the cathedral. This marvelous polyptych (type of altar setting characteristic of the late Gothic) is one of the greatest paintings of medieval painting. It is the work of Hubert and Jan van Eyck consisting of 12 picture-plates presenting the history of the biblical man from the fall in paradise to redemption. The main part shows the adoration of the Lamb of God. The painting was ordered by Judocus Vijdt, senior councilor of Ghent in 1432 year. This work is shown in the chapel on the left side of the entrance.
This world-class polyptych is high on 3,6 m and wide on 4,8 m. It consists of twelve tables in two rows, four in the middle and four in each wing, painted on both sides. Twenty-four separate but thematically related works show a different view, depending on whether the altar is open or closed.
This world-class polyptych is high on 3,6 m and wide on 4,8 m. It consists of twelve tables in two rows, four in the middle and four in each wing, painted on both sides. Twenty-four separate but thematically related works show a different view, depending on whether the altar is open or closed.
Painting Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, front, fot. http://caermersklooster.be/en/the-Ghent-Altarpiece
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Painting Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, back, fot. http://caermersklooster.be/en/the-Ghent-Altarpiece
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This phenomenal work was painted extremely realistically, based on direct observations. For the first time such realism and mastery in the use of oil paints was shown. There is no typical for antique works of idealized ancient figures or flattening the image. Each character painted by the brothers van Eyck was presented with all details. This incredible attention to detail can be seen in the presented buildings, landscape elements, vegetation, fabrics, animals. This work initiated the renaissance of the north, the golden age of renaissance in the south.
The history of this work is also unique. In the year 1556, it avoided the fate of other works of art destroyed during the iconoclast revolt. In later years, the picture survived the fire. In the puritanical eighteenth century, at the behest of Emperor Joseph II, the painting on which Adam and Eve appear nude was replaced by a copy with the first parents who were dressed (this copy is still exhibited in the Vijdta chapel). In Napoleon's time, the central part of the work went to the Louvre, from where it returned only after the Emperor's death.
The altar was ordered from Hubert van Eyck, and after his death in 1426 was completed by the younger brother Jan van Eyck. The cathedral also features paintings by such masters as Peter Paul Rubens, Joos van Wassenhove, and Hieronymus Duquesnoy Younger.
The history of this work is also unique. In the year 1556, it avoided the fate of other works of art destroyed during the iconoclast revolt. In later years, the picture survived the fire. In the puritanical eighteenth century, at the behest of Emperor Joseph II, the painting on which Adam and Eve appear nude was replaced by a copy with the first parents who were dressed (this copy is still exhibited in the Vijdta chapel). In Napoleon's time, the central part of the work went to the Louvre, from where it returned only after the Emperor's death.
The altar was ordered from Hubert van Eyck, and after his death in 1426 was completed by the younger brother Jan van Eyck. The cathedral also features paintings by such masters as Peter Paul Rubens, Joos van Wassenhove, and Hieronymus Duquesnoy Younger.
St. Bavo's Cathedral.
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A beautiful monument by the brothers van Eyck
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Address:
Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Ghent, Belgie http://www.sintbaafskathedraal.be/ |
Ticket price:
Visiting the cathedral: free Watch painting: 4 Euro |
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Opening hours:
Summer season (1 April-31 October)
Monday-Saturday: 8.30-18.00 Sunday: 10.00-18.00 (Visits from 13.00) Winter season (1 November-1 April) Monday-Saturday: 8.30-17.00 Sunday: 10.00-17.00 (Visits from 13.00) |
Opening hours Chapel with the painting:
Summer season (1 April-31 October)
Monday-Saturday: 9.30-16.45 Sunday: 13.00-16.45 Winter season (1 November-1 April) Monday-Saturday: 10.30-15.45 Sunday: 13.00-15.45 |