STAM – Ghent City Museum

Overview

The STAM (Stadsmuseum Gent) tells the 2,000-year story of Ghent in a striking combination of medieval abbey buildings and a sleek modern wing. Its centrepiece is a giant aerial photograph of the city covering the entire floor of the nave.

Highlights

• Giant Floor Map: Walk across a massive aerial photo of the city, discovering layers of history beneath your feet.
• Bijloke Abbey: The medieval refectory and dormitory are exhibition spaces in themselves.
• Interactive Timeline: A multimedia journey from Roman Ganda to the modern city.

History

Housed in the former Bijloke Abbey, founded in the 13th century. The museum opened in 2010 in a combination of the restored Gothic buildings and a new glass-walled extension by architects Coussée & Goris.

Visitor Tips

• Closed Wednesdays.
• Start here if it's your first visit to Ghent.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.