Now, let me tell you a bit about this unique landmark. St Bavo's Cathedral, also known as Sint-Baafs Cathedral, is not your ordinary cathedral. It's like the Beyoncé of cathedrals, standing tall at a whopping 89 meters! Impressive, right?
This cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of Ghent and is named after Saint Bavo of Ghent. And guess what? It's not just any cathedral, it contains the famous Ghent Altarpiece! This masterpiece is a must-see, believe me. It's like the Mona Lisa of Ghent, except on a much bigger scale.
But wait, there's more! The history of this cathedral goes way back. It was built on the site of the former Chapel of St. John the Baptist, which was consecrated way back in 942. Talk about ancient history! Traces of a Romanesque structure can even be found in the cathedral's crypt. It's like a historical treasure hunt.
Construction of this magnificent Gothic church began around 1274, and from the 14th to the 16th centuries, they were like, "Hey, let's keep expanding this bad boy!" They added a new choir, chapels, transepts, a chapter house, and even a single-tower western section. It's like they just couldn't get enough of that Gothic goodness.
Now, let's talk about some art. The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, is the star of the show here. Painted by the Van Eyck brothers, it's considered one of the most important works of the early Northern Renaissance. Unfortunately, one panel, The Just Judges, was stolen in 1934 and hasn't been recovered. But don't worry, they've replaced it with a fancy replica. Crisis averted!
But wait, there's more art! St Bavo's Cathedral is home to works by other famous artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Lucas de Heere, and Frans Pourbus the Elder. It's like an art gallery with a twist of spirituality.
Oh, and did I mention the organs? This cathedral has not one, not two, not three, but four organs! The main organ is the biggest in the Benelux, which is like winning the lottery of organs. It has over 6000 pipes and five manuals. I bet it sounds like angels singing.
And hey, don't forget to check out the Baroque high altar and the tomb monuments of the Ghent bishops. They're like the fancy icing on top of a perfectly baked cathedral cake.
So, there you have it, St Bavo's Cathedral in all its Gothic glory. Get ready for more adventures as we move on to our next stop, the Belfry of Ghent!
Note: Please make sure to follow any safety regulations and guidelines when visiting this location. Enjoy your virtual tour!
