St. Bavo Cathedral

St. Bavo’s Cathedral is a 89-meter-high Gothic cathedral in Ghent, Belgium.
The building was erected on the site of the former Chapel of St. John the Baptist, a largely wooden structure consecrated in 942 by Transmarus, Bishop of Tournai and Noyon. Traces of this structure can be seen in the cathedral’s tomb. The chapel was enlarged in the Romanesque style in 1038. Some witnesses of this expansion can still be seen in the crypt today.

From the 14th to the 16th century, extensions in the Gothic style were carried out on the building of the cathedral almost without interruption. When Emperor Charles V was baptized in 1500, the redesign of the church to a Gothic one was in full swing. Despite considerable financial aid from the emperor, however, the cathedral remained unfinished 58 years later. As a result, the funeral service for the late ruler could not take place there. Today only the crypt of the Romanesque church of that time is preserved.

The number of precious art treasures in the St. Bavo Cathedral is impressive: the baroque high altar made of black and white and red flamed marble, the rococo pulpit made of oak, marble and gilded wood, the “Calvary Triptych” by Joos van Wassenhove, the Tombs of the Ghent bishops and much more. One work, however, clearly stands out from others: the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, which was painted by Jan and Hubert van Eyck around 1432.

The cathedral has four organs for church services and church festivals. The main organ in the upper church is best known: it is the largest organ in the Benelux countries. In 1935 it was decided to move the Klais organ from the World’s Fair to the cathedral. The organ case dates from the 18th century and the complete organ has more than 6000 pipes.

Diva Antwerp

Worth a visit: the new diamond museum

The multicultural Belgian city of Antwerp has been known for its diamond trade for centuries and the new Diva Museum shows the ups and downs of the relationship between residents, travelers and diamonds. After the reopening in May 2018, the pieces of jewelery from the previous diamond and silversmith museum are united in the new location of the “Diva”.

Interactive journey into a sparkling luxury world

After a long awaited time, the world’s largest diamond museum is reopening in Antwerp, offering visitors an extremely varied museum experience with its new concepts and designs. In addition to the pure aesthetics and legendary beauty of the gemstones, the history and manufacture of the diamonds can now be understood in an interactive way. Visitors to the Diva Antwerp listen to charismatic stories via audio guide. They can get to know materials and their origins via touchscreens. Above all, critical questions are asked about the danger and the extremely unequal balance of power in production.
Cultural historians and natural scientists also get their money’s worth on a trip to the museum: In addition to the exceptionally rare shapes and colors of the diamonds, treasures from the 16th century to the present day can be viewed in exquisite chambers. With the help of the optional audio guide, the individual area of ​​interest can be refined!

Weekend trip or study trip?

Even after visiting the diamond museum, the timeless elegance and the omnipresent fascination for the small gemstones are noticeable and make Antwerp shine in its splendor:
Antwerp is not only worthwhile as a study trip, but also as a weekend trip or city break, where the breathtaking architecture and the many culinary delicacies can be admired in the global atmosphere of the city.

Bouillon

Worth seeing small town in the Ardennes

Anyone traveling in the south-east of Belgium near the French border should pay a visit to Bouillon. After all, the small town in the Ardennes is always worth a detour. The castle of Bouillon, the largest medieval castle in the country, is known far beyond the Belgian borders. The imposing complex from the 11th century, which is the greatest attraction of the tranquil city of 5,500 inhabitants, is located on three hills directly above the tranquil Semois River. You can discover the well-preserved hilltop castle as part of a guided tour or on your own. Evening tours are particularly atmospheric. The Middle Ages come to life again on an exciting journey of discovery through the numerous winding corridors and the large, magnificent halls. In the courtyard of the fortress, which can be reached via a double drawbridge, a bird of prey show is regularly organized for visitors. A visit to the castle should definitely be combined with a trip to the Archéoscope Gottfried von Bouillon. In the museum of a special kind, you can immerse yourself in the time of the first crusades thanks to a very special staging with a wide variety of special effects. You have the feeling that you are actually right in the middle of this time. Another draw for tourists and locals in Bouillon is the Musée Ducal. Here visitors learn a lot of interesting facts from the exciting 1,000-year history of the city. A visit to the castle should definitely be combined with a trip to the Archéoscope Gottfried von Bouillon. In the museum of a special kind, you can immerse yourself in the time of the first crusades thanks to a very special staging with a wide variety of special effects. You have the feeling that you are actually right in the middle of this time. Another draw for tourists and locals in Bouillon is the Musée Ducal. Here visitors learn a lot of interesting facts from the exciting 1,000-year history of the city. A visit to the castle should definitely be combined with a trip to the Archéoscope Gottfried von Bouillon. In the museum of a special kind, you can immerse yourself in the time of the first crusades thanks to a very special staging with a wide variety of special effects. You have the feeling that you are actually right in the middle of this time. Another draw for tourists and locals in Bouillon is the Musée Ducal. Here visitors learn a lot of interesting facts from the exciting 1,000-year history of the city. Another draw for tourists and locals in Bouillon is the Musée Ducal. Here visitors learn a lot of interesting facts from the exciting 1,000-year history of the city. Another draw for tourists and locals in Bouillon is the Musée Ducal. Here visitors learn a lot of interesting facts from the exciting 1,000-year history of the city.

Other activities

When visiting Bouillon in summer, the Semois invites you to go paddling or take a swim.