Mason’s Guild Hall
Functioning as an advert for the trade, Ghent’s Bricklayer’s Guild House is a famously lovely sight, which is also why there are two of them: a copy located at Graslei number 8 and the original at Sint-Niklaasstraat 2. Since people thought the 16th-century original was lost, the city installed a copy to spruce up the city’s yesteryear glory for the 1913 World Fair. In 1976, however, the Gothic Guild Hall, built by actual mason hands, was discovered behind a couple of nondescript walls during renovation works across the street from St Nicholas’ Church. Six dancing figures, which swirl with the wind, now stand on the original’s top. June 7, 2018

A small annex dating from 1741, called the Mammelokker, served as the entrance and guard’s quarters of the city jail that occupied part of the old cloth hall from 1742 to 1902. The name refers to the sculpture of Roman Charity poised high above the front doorway. It depicts the Roman legend regarding a prisoner called Cimon. Cimon was sentenced to death by starvation, but survived and ultimately gained his freedom thanks to his daughter Pero, a wet nurse who secretly breastfed him during her visits. Her act of selflessness impressed officials and won her father’s release. The term ‘mammelokker’ translates as ‘breast sucker’.[8]Ghent. June 7, 2018

Statue depicting the Mammelokker legend June 7, 2018

The Belfry in Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018

The City PavillionThe multifunctional and open city pavilion is an architectural masterpiece designed by the architects Robbrecht & Daem / Marie-José Van Hee. The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete are very striking.

Views of Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018

Views of Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018

Views of Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018

Gravensteen or the “Castle of the Counts” was originally a stronghold that was built by Count Baldwin I. It was rebuilt on the instructions of the Count of Flanders.

The Fish Market Square in Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018

Statue at Fish Market. June 7, 2018

Statue at Fish Market in Ghent, Belgium. June 7, 2018