Now, the church is a prime example of the local Scheldt Gothic style. What's that, you ask? Well, it's named after the nearby river and features things like blue-gray stone from the Tournai area, a big tower above the crossing, and these fancy little turrets at the corners of the building. It's like something out of a fairytale!
Speaking of fairytales, this place used to be in the heart of the old trade center of Ghent, right next to the bustling Korenmarkt, a.k.a the Wheat Market. The guilds, who were like the medieval version of unions, loved this church because they did their business nearby. In fact, the guild members even had their own chapels added to the sides of the church in the 14th and 15th centuries. Talk about VIP treatment!
Now, the central tower of the church used to be quite the lookout point. It even held the town bells until the famous Belfry of Ghent was built next door. These two towers, along with the nearby Saint Bavo Cathedral, help give Ghent its iconic medieval skyline. It's like a postcard come to life!
But that's not all, folks! Inside the church, there's a real treasure - the organ. And not just any organ, mind you. This one was made by the renowned French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. It's one of the most important romantic organs in all of Belgium. I guess you could say it really knows how to pull some heartstrings...or should I say, organ strings?
Now, the church has seen better days. It started falling apart over the centuries, and they even plastered over cracks and bricked up windows to keep it from collapsing. Can you imagine living in a house like that? But around 1840, people realized this place was a historical gem and started making restoration plans. They even tore down little houses and shops that had been built up against the church's sad, dilapidated facades. Talk about a makeover!
So, there you have it. The Saint Nicholas Church, Ghent - a true marvel of history, architecture, and music. I hope you enjoyed this stop on our tour! Now, buckle up because we're heading to our next stop - the Korenmarkt.
