Heilige Kerstkerk, Catholic church in northern Ghent, Belgium
The Heilige Kerstkerk is a Catholic church in Ghent with a three-aisled nave divided into six bays, blending late Gothic design with a neoclassical facade built in 1812. Surrounding residential buildings partially conceal the structure, leaving mainly the western front and northern sections visible to passersby.
The church was founded in 1550 after its original site near Saint Bavo's Abbey was demolished in 1540 to make way for a military citadel. This displacement created the need for a new place of worship in the northern part of the city.
The interior contains paintings depicting scenes from Christ's life alongside religious reliquaries from various saints. These artworks shape how visitors experience the sacred space and reflect the devotional practices of the community.
Access to the site can be limited due to surrounding residential buildings that conceal most views. It helps to allow extra time for navigation and to look carefully for the main entrance on the western side.
The bow of the ship Rihera has stood in the church square since 1994, marking the area's connection to Flemish inland waterway trade. This unexpected maritime element ties the sacred space to the region's commercial heritage.
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