Groot Vleeshuis, Medieval guild house and market hall in Ghent, Belgium.
The Groot Vleeshuis displays Gothic architecture with timber framing and brickwork, featuring large windows and open spaces that once facilitated the efficient display and sale of meat products in medieval times.
Constructed between 1407 and 1419 to replace an older wooden structure, this building served as a covered market where butchers were required to sell their meat products during the Middle Ages.
This protected monument exemplifies medieval craftsmanship and stands as a testament to the guild system that regulated trade and commerce in medieval Ghent, symbolizing the city's municipal authority.
The building is easily accessible within Ghent's city center and is often included in cultural heritage tours, providing visitors with opportunities for daytime visits and photography.
The structure features a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary with an inkwell, known as 'La Vierge à l'encrier', positioned in a Gothic niche on the northern facade.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
