St Bavo's Abbey, Ghent, Romanesque abbey ruins in Ghent, Belgium.
St Bavo's Abbey is a monastery ruin in Ghent, Belgium, where stone walls, arches, and an octagonal lavatorium from the 12th century still stand. The grounds also house a lapidary museum with tombstones and stone carvings from the monastic period.
The abbey was founded in the 7th century by Saint Amandus and grew into one of the most important religious centers in the region. In 1540, Emperor Charles V ordered it demolished as punishment after Ghent rebelled against his rule.
The Lapidary Museum holds tombstones of important people, including Hubert van Eyck, the brother of painter Jan van Eyck. Visitors can read names and connect with those who once lived and worked within these walls.
The site is generally open from April to October, with reduced hours on weekends, so it is worth checking ahead before your visit. The grounds are easy to walk through at your own pace, and guided tours with local groups are sometimes available.
Living hornbeam columns mark the outline of the former church nave, and a modern stage now sits where the altar once stood. The lapidary museum also holds the tombstone of Hubert van Eyck, the older brother of painter Jan van Eyck, who is believed to have contributed to the famous Ghent Altarpiece.
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