St Bavo's Cathedral & Ghent Altarpiece

Overview

St Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) is a Gothic masterpiece and the most important church in Ghent, famous above all as the home of the Ghent Altarpiece — the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Hubert and Jan van Eyck (1432), widely considered one of the most significant artworks in Western civilization.

Highlights

• Ghent Altarpiece: The Van Eyck brothers' 12-panel polyptych, displayed in a climate-controlled glass chapel. Its hyperrealistic oil painting technique revolutionized European art.
• Rubens' Entry of St Bavo: A major Rubens painting in the main nave.
• Baroque Pulpit & Choir: Ornate Rococo pulpit and 16th-century choir stalls.

History

The church dates to the 12th century; the current Gothic structure was largely completed by the 16th century. The Ghent Altarpiece was commissioned in 1420 and completed in 1432. It has been stolen, dismembered, and fought over more than any other painting — seized by Napoleon, looted by the Nazis, recovered by the Monuments Men.

Visitor Tips

• Altarpiece viewing requires a timed ticket (€12). Cathedral entry is free.
• Book online — timed slots fill up.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.