Destination: Ghent
What To See
Ghent
Ghent
  + Ghent
  Sights
* Begijnhof Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ter Hove
* Belfort
* Bernardparkje
* Bijloke Museum
* Boekentoren
* Botanical Garden
* Bron Der Geknielde Jongelingen
* Coupure
* Dulle Griet
* Galgenhuisje
* Geeraard De Duivelsteen
* Gildehuis Van De Onvrije Schippers
* Gildehuis Van De Vrije Schippers
* Gildehuis Van De Wijnhandelaars
* Houten Gevel (Wooden Facades)
* Jaagpaden (Tow-Paths)
* Ketelvest
* Kinderen Alynshospitaal
* Klein-Manchester
* Klokke Roeland
* Koninklijke Nederlandse Schouwburg
* Koning Albertpark
* Korenmarkt
* Kouter
* Sportpaleis De Kuipke
* Lakenhalle
* Het Licht
* Mammelokker
* Manneken Pis
* Maria Hendrikaplein
* Metsershuis
* Miljoenenkwartier
* Minardschouwburg
* Museum Arnold Vander Haeghen
* Museum Voor Schone Kunsten
* Museum Voor Sierkunsten
* Pand
* Openbare Urinoirs (Public Urinals)
* Oude Postgebouw
* Rabot
* Sikkel
* St Baafsabdij
* St Jorishof
* St Niklaaskerk
* St Michielsbrug
* St Michielskerk
* St Pietersabdij
* St Veerleplein
* Spijker
* Stadhuis
* Tolhuisje
* Turkishtown
* University (Universiteit)
* University District (Universiteitsbuurt)
* Van Ryhovesteen
* Veldstraat
* Vishallen
* Vleeshuis
* Vooruit
* Karelke Waeri (Statue)
* Water-Sports Arena
* Werken Van Barmhartigheid
* Werregarenstraatje
* Westerbegraafplaats
* Zwaene
Vicinity
  + Vicinity

  Walk/Drive
  Food&Drink
  In The Know
  Did You Know?
Houten Gevel (Wooden Facades)

( Do not miss )

Before a fire in 1490 reduced a large part of Ghent to ashes the city had more than 5,000 wooden houses, painted various colours, mainly with oxblood, and like the houses on the Bosporus built on a slope above the river. In Ghent the positioning had more to do with taxes than aesthetics: taxes on property depended on the height of the building and building at an angle saved many centimetres. There is a wooden facade that has survived the ravages of time and this can be seen in all its glory only from a boat on the Lieve canal. There is an unusual story attached to the colour of this house. The pale yellow of the facade is known officially as 'Isabella' yellow. We have the warlike arch duchess of that name to thank for this, after she swore not to wash her underwear until the war was won.
In order to avoid further catastrophes like the fire in 1490 everyone who owned a wooden house had to replace it with a brick one. This was done at the expense of the city, so it is understandable that very few wooden houses are left in Ghent today.


Address: Lievekanaal
Boat: Bootjes van Ghent (Korenlei)/Benelux (Graslei)
Other: Gravensteen
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