We took a short train ride to Ghent, and a taxi to our hotel in the old city. We left our bags and went to the Sint-Baafskathedraal, which has a special work of art, a multi-panel altar piece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, started in about 1420 by Hubert Van Eyck and finished by his better-known son Jan Van Eyck. It is one of the earliest oil paintings, and people come from all over to see it. There is usually a long line, but we didn't have to wait. Beautiful and impressive. Google it and see for yourself.
After lunch we took a tram to the city's fine arts museum. Lots of old masters, but not so big a place as to make our eyes glaze over. Bought a little print of the Mystic Lamb, some panels of which we could watch being restored at that museum. The picture is an anonymous 15th century Adoration of the Magi we especially liked.
Tram back to hotel. After a brief rest we went back out. We'd had a big lunch- spaghetti- so dinner was gelato.
Ghent ' s old city is not as big or well-preserved as Brugge's, but still fun to stroll around.
A warm, sunny day for once.
No comments:
Post a Comment