Named for a local saint, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, with its Gothic tower, rises high above the town center. A church or abbey has stood on the site since 942 CE, playing a pivotal role in European history, including the baptism of Charles V. The cathedral is home to a number of masterworks by local artists, such as Hubert and Jan van Eyck, as well as Justus van Gent. Don't miss Van Eyck's masterpiece "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb," displayed in a prominent position inside the chapel, and "Saint Bavo enters the Convent at Ghent" by Peter Paul Rubens, on the cathedral's walls. Visit the cathedral's website for notifications of choral concerts and regular services. To visit Saint Bavo's Cathedral and other attractions in Ghent, use our Ghent online journey planner.
Tours to Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Saint Bavo's Cathedral reviews
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We visited the cathedral on a day trip to Ghent, explicitly to visit the Van Eycks’ masterpiece! Having visited Ghent as a youngster, I remembered how beautiful the city was but had missed out on the.... more
We visited the cathedral on a day trip to Ghent, explicitly to visit the Van Eycks’ masterpiece! Having visited Ghent as a youngster, I remembered how beautiful the city was but had missed out on the.... more »
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Two daughters were insistent we visited Ghent from our stay in Bruges to view the alter piece. It was a trip well worth making, and Ghent is a pretty interesting place anyway. The artwork is...
Two daughters were insistent we visited Ghent from our stay in Bruges to view the alter piece. It was a trip well worth making, and Ghent is a pretty interesting place anyway. The artwork is... more »
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Amazing, it's like a small Vatican, the art and sculpture are quite simply superb. It is clearly much loved and cared for. Ghent is quite possibly the most beautiful medieval city in northern Europe. The architecture is astonishing. We will be returning for a longer stay.
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The cathedral is free to go in and look around. To see the Ghent altarpiece you may need a reservation if it’s busy. Buy tickets online before or walk up to the desk and buy them there. The fee is 12.50 euro to see the altarpiece, the virtual reality headset tour costs more. The altarpiece is absolutely breathtaking. The latest restorations finished in 2020 have made it seem magical with the case it’s in and the lighting. Wow! There are souvenirs near the entrance to help you remember the altarpiece :) History at its best!
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