Korenstapelhuis, Medieval guild house along the historic Graslei waterfront in Ghent, Belgium.
The Korenstapelhuis features a distinctive asymmetrical facade of seven bays built from Tournai blue stone, with arched windows supported by monolithic columns and a stepped gable covered in red bricks characteristic of Romanesque architecture.
Constructed in the last quarter of the 12th century, this building served as a grain warehouse for cereals transported by boat on the Scheldt and Lys rivers, originally belonging to the patrician Utenhove family.
The structure played a central role in Ghent's port economy, housing tax collectors' offices from the 16th century onward to manage duties on grain and other merchandise passing through the city's trading networks.
Located on the Graslei quay, the building was restored after the 1896 fire and designated as a historic monument in 1943, now accessible to visitors during guided tours of Ghent's historic center.
The Korenstapelhuis retains original facade anchors and a specialized loading entrance for merchandise, demonstrating its seamless integration with medieval port activities that defined Ghent's commercial prosperity.
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