Saint Michael's Church, Ghent

Saint Michael's Church is a parish church in Ghent that blends Gothic and Baroque architectural forms beneath a distinctive flat roof. The interior contains multiple aisles with vaulted ceilings and several side chapels, along with paintings and sculptures spanning several centuries of artistic patronage.

Construction began in 1440 but faced repeated delays due to religious turmoil and money shortages throughout the 1500s and beyond. The building took shape gradually as funding and stability allowed, reflecting the challenging circumstances of its era.

The church served as a gathering place for local craftspeople and their guilds, who funded artworks and decorations throughout its interior. Today, visitors can see how these community groups left their mark through religious commissions and charitable contributions to the building.

The church is accessible on most weekdays, so visitors should plan time to wander through the interior and side chapels at their own pace. Joining a guided tour helps explain the artworks and building history in greater detail.

During violent religious upheaval, the brewers' guild found an unusual way to protect the building by distributing beer to would-be vandals. This episode reveals how local tradespeople took creative action to preserve their community's sacred spaces.