Vrijdagmarkt, Square in Ghent, Belgium

Vrijdagmarkt is a large public square in the historic centre of Ghent, Belgium. It is paved with greyish-brown stones and features a tall column topped by a golden figure, with a statue of Jacob van Artevelde standing on a tiered pedestal.

The square dates back to 1199, when the Friday market tradition began. In 1345, Jacob van Artevelde was murdered on this spot, and a statue now marks the place.

The name comes from the weekly Friday market that has been held here for centuries. Today, locals and visitors mix among the stalls, and the surrounding guildhalls now house bars and restaurants with terraces where people gather.

The square is flat and easy to walk across, with wide open space most days. On Friday mornings, the market fills the area, so go early if you want to avoid the crowds and see the stalls at their best.

The statue of Jacob van Artevelde points toward England, a reminder of his alliance with the English during the Hundred Years' War. The square also sits above a large underground car park, which few notice from the surface.