When we visited Gent/Ghent/Gand (Dutch/English/French) in Belgium for Valentine's Day weekend, my husband wasn't sold on the idea of buying a CityCard Gent, good for 48 hours, but when we...
strolled into the Castle of the Counts, (1) Het Gravensteen, and he saw the 10 euro entry fee, he quickly calculated and realized it would be better to buy the 30 euro card. Also available for 72 hours at 35 euros, the CityCard Gent is a fabulous purchase, and you'll see our huge savings after visiting only 7 buildings/museums. A complete description can be found here.
Next, we strolled towards (2) The Belfort (belfry)--regular admission price, 6 euros. Since we had purchased our CityCards at the castle, we just pulled them out of their handy plastic sleeves, gave them to the cashier, and after a quick scan, we headed towards the steps up to the top.
We were pleasantly surprised to find, after climbing to the 1st floor, an elevator leading to the remaining floors, including the top observation deck. It was a tight squeeze on the balcony which encircles the belfry; when you encountered other people, you all needed to go in the same direction to the next corner in order to pass! There were spectacular views of the city, and once we ventured back inside, we enjoyed watching the mechanism that played a tune every 15 minutes (we sat and watched it twice!)
Next, onward to (3) St. Baafskathedraal (below).
We were pleasantly surprised to find, after climbing to the 1st floor, an elevator leading to the remaining floors, including the top observation deck. It was a tight squeeze on the balcony which encircles the belfry; when you encountered other people, you all needed to go in the same direction to the next corner in order to pass! There were spectacular views of the city, and once we ventured back inside, we enjoyed watching the mechanism that played a tune every 15 minutes (we sat and watched it twice!)
Next, onward to (3) St. Baafskathedraal (below).
Entrance to the Cathedral is free, but admission to the small room that houses the famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is 4 euros. Once again, we pulled out our CityCards. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed at all in the Cathedral, so no photos of either the beautiful interior of the church, or the Adoration. This outside sculpture, The Brothers van Eyck (above), by Geo Verbanck, however, depicts Jan and Hubrecht van Eyck, the artists and brothers responsible for the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (which was completed in 1432).
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at a cute Italian restaurant, and then meandered toward the (4) Design Museum, where regular admission is 8 euros. Once again, we whipped out our cards, and were quickly scanned in, and directed to the cloak room to drop off our bags and coats.
Then, off we went through the permanent displays as well as the special exhibit, Lightopia by Vitra (available through March 15, 2015).
That's my reflection in the mirror on the wall (left) of this 18th-century townhouse full of surprises, including these beautiful serving pieces (below). I told my husband that I would like an identical set, please!
Our final stop on Day 1 of our trip was the (5) Het Huis van Alijn (below), which is usually 6 euros for regular admission. Once again, we presented our cards, were scanned in, and then placed our bags in the cloak room. The cashier asked us to wear cute little stickers on our clothes since the museum is housed in a variety of buildings, and she directed us to Part I, II, III and IV of the tour. My favorite room (also below) in this wonderful folk museum was the 'schoolhouse' (remember I'm a teacher)!
Now, if you've been adding up the regular admissions, you've noticed that we've already saved 4 euros per person, and we're only halfway through our weekend!
On Day 2, we parked in a different public garage, and wandered along 'til we reached Citadel Park. It was a beautiful sunny day so we enjoyed the outdoors for a bit before entering (6) the SMAK (Stedelijke Museum voor Actuele Kunst), which has a regular admission of 12 euros for adults. Once again, we presented our cards, which were quickly scanned. We were given little stickers to wear, and placed our bags in lockers. Our visit fell on the last day of a special exhibit by Berlinde De Bruyckere. Both of us found the exhibit rather dark and disturbing; my apologies, but art is all subjective! However, the piece, Igloo (below), by Mario Merz, was one of my favorites in the permanent collection of this well-known modern art gallery.
Our final stop before heading home was (7) MSK (Museum voor Schone Kunsten), the Museum of Fine Arts (below), which has a regular adult admission of 8 euros. This was my favorite museum of the weekend, and actually one of my all-time favorites, from places I 've visited in Europe and the United States, in terms of the physical layout. Same procedure--cards, scan, stickers, lockers. There is a special room, behind glass, where they're restoring parts of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.. One of my favorite pieces was by Edward Atkinson Hornel, entitled Idyl in Spring (also below).
After a quick addition of all the entrance fees, you'll find a total savings per person of 24 euros, for a total savings of 48 euros--great deal, in our opinion, and we weren't rushed in any of the attractions.
So, if you are visiting Gent for at least 2 days, buy a CityCard Gent! I've given you 7 reasons, but there are at least 13 others!
So, if you are visiting Gent for at least 2 days, buy a CityCard Gent! I've given you 7 reasons, but there are at least 13 others!