The Expressive Angels at Saint Bavo’s

These very expressive angels is part of the well known Ghent Altarpiece ( The Adoration of Mystic Lamb) at the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. The impressive altarpiece measures 5.2 x 3.75m, and is painted by Hubert and Jan can Eyck in the 15th century. It is considered to be one of the greatest masterpiece in Belgium. As for the gothic cathedral which stands at 89m tall, it is the seat of the Diocese of Ghent, and took nearly 3 centuries to complete. It is free to visit the cathedral but requires separate ticket to see the altarpiece. #cityexplorer #history #art #belgium #ghent

Saint Bavo's Cathedral

Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Dutch: Sint Baafskathedraal) is a Roman Catholic church located in Ghent, Belgium. The cathedral was originally a wooden structure known as the Church of Saint John the Baptist. In the 11th century, the wooden church was rebuilt in Romanesque style, and then gradually expanded into Gothic style from the 14th to the 16th century. It was renamed Saint Bavo's Church in the 16th century when the monks of the Saint Bavo Abbey moved there. Later, it became the cathedral of the Ghent diocese. The cathedral is famous for the Ghent Altarpiece, officially known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, named after the central panel of the lower part of the altarpiece. This work was completed by Jan van Eyck and is one of the most important works of the early Northern Renaissance. The interior of the church retains the natural color of red bricks. The nave mixes Gothic columns and ribbed vaults, ornate altars and screens, numerous lifelike statues and paintings. Most striking are the numerous exquisite and beautiful stained glass windows. My association with Belgium is always the low-hanging clouds and the long drizzle, and the Gothic churches here echo this environment. Fortunately, with these colorful stained glass windows, the solemn and gloomy atmosphere inside the cold stone walls of the church seems to be lessened a bit.

Founded in the 12th century The St. Baf Cathedral, built in the 16th century, is a perfect blend of romanticism, early and late Gothic style, and is famous for its collection of masterpieces. The three-fold painting "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" placed in the side hall on the left side of the gate is the treasure of the church. The St. Buff Cathedral was built on the basis of the Chapel of St. Johnthe Baptist, where the St. John the Baptist was just a wooden building built in 942. . The original architectural remains of the chapel are still visible from the basement of St. Barthes Cathedral. The chapel was converted into a Romanesque style in 1038, and the historical traces of this expansion can also be found in the basement of the church. During the period from the 14th to the 16th century, the church was continuously expanded and remodeled and eventually converted into a Gothic-style building. New choir seats, the extended church wing, the central corridor and the ancient tower to the west of the church were built during this period. On June 7, 1569, the construction of St. Baf's Cathedral was completed. 1539, the old old St. Baf Abbey was disbanded due to the rebellion of Charles V.