These cities are known as the "Three Flemish Art Cities". All three have many old buildings in the Gothic and Flemish Renaissance (Rococo Baroque) style. They all have a central square with one or more Cathedrals or big Churches and also a monumental City Hall.

Ghent is an old town founded around the year 600. It was an important commercial center in the Middle Ages. Today has a population of about 220,000. The city is dominated by the "Three towers of Ghent" St. Bavon Cathedral, the Belfry and St. Nicholas Church.

St. Bavon Cathedral

Front viewSide view

The city is full of flowers and tourists.

Very ornate buildings.

The Castle had many uses during history. It was one time a torture place and on display is a real guillotine.

Beautiful houses built during the Flemish Renaissance.

The city is built at the confluence of the Lys and Schelde rivers.

It is small city with 115,000 inhabitants. However 4 million visitors come annually to see the well maintained Medieval Gothic buildings.

Burges Belfry

Unusual sculpture in front of the Tower (Gay attraction?)

Burges have many canals and tour boats are enjoyed by many visitors

Sometimes you pass with the boat under a house

Beguinage Monastery

Horse head fountain used to water real horses.

Restaurant in an old Palace

Burges is known for one of the best chocolates in the world.

Some merchants are very inventive for the shapes of the chocolate!

Antwerpen is Belgium second largest city with a population of 450,000. It is the world fifth-largest port and is known as the "Diamond Center of the World"

The Market Square is surrounded by Renaissance buildings and the majestic "Our Lady's Cathedral" is just off the square.

Proper decoration for a port city.

Our Lady's Cathedral houses four Rubens masterpieces and nice stained glass windows.

Cathedral's interior with very high cupola

Grote Market and Brabo Fountain

TOWN HALL

Central Railroad Station

The Steen -Medieval Fortress 13th Century.

Today it houses the National Maritime Museum

What is unusual about this picture is that is made completely out of stamps!

Giant and two admirers.(I am wondering what are they looking at)

Buildings along the river Schelde.

I hope that you enjoyed watching this presentation. Send

any comments to Dan Calistrat at dcalistrat@aol.com