DULLE GRIET ('Mad Maggy')
DULLE
GRIET is the name of a large medieval canon-gun In the area of the
'Vrijdagmarkt' (Friday's market). It dates from the 15th century. On the
chamber of the gun are the arms of the House of Burgundy, a Saint Andrew's
cross and the weapons of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The gun measures
5,025 m and weighs 16.400 Kg. It was capable of firing cannonballs of 340
Kg. In 1578 it was brought by ship over the river Scheldt from the town of
Oudenaarde to Ghent.
SAINT MICHAEL'S BRIDGE
Right
in the center of town lies the Saint Michael's bridge. This is THE
spot to admire the architectural wealth of Ghent. On the right side stands
the medieval St.Michael's church. From here you also have the best view
over the famous 'panorama of the three towers'. On the left side lie the
'Graslei' and 'Koornlei', two streets alongside the Leie river. Some of
the most beautiful medieval houses in Belgium can be spotted from here. On
the corner of the bridge all attention is drawn to the Post-Office of
Ghent. The neo-gothic building was only constructed at the beginning of
the 20th century, but the style does not clash with the existing beauties
of the city. This building will probably become a shopping center in the
near future.
THE HOSPICE 'CHILDREN
ALIJNS'
The
museum of folklore is housed in the 'Kinderen Alijns Godshuis' (the
hospice of the Alijns children). A remarkable story is at the origin of
this building. A never-ending (political ?) feud between the two rival
families ALIJN en RIJM in the 14th century Ghent, resulted in the murder
of two children of the Alijn family. The murderers, two members of the
Rijm family, escaped but returned later to Gent. In 1362 the murderers
were granted mercy but had to pay for their evil deed by financing the
construction of a 'God's house', a charity institution or hospice where
old and needy women could spend the last years of their life.The God's
house was called the 'Children Alijns God's house' in memory of the killed
children. The God's house was renovated and enlarged in the 16th century.
In 1883 it was degraded to a living area for textile laborers, which
fastened the decay of the houses. The city of Ghent bought the God's house
in 1941 and after a thorough renovation the Museum of Folklore was brought
here in 1962.
PATERSHOL
Near
the Gravensteen lies the 'Patershol'. This network of little medieval
streets stretches out over a surface of about 4,5 ha. In the Middle-Ages
the Patershol was the town-quarter of the trades and handicrafts. In the
17th and 18th century the law court was placed in the Gravensteen
('Count's castle') and therefore magistrates settled in the houses of the
Patershol. In the 19th Century the Count's castle was turned into a cotton
factory. The magistrates left and their houses were taken over by the
textile workers. When the industry left the center of Gent, the Patershol
became the quarter of the lower classes, inns and brothels. After the
Second World War the entire 'patershol' was renovated (old houses were
demolished, new ones were built). Especially since 1980, the Patershol is
famous for its many trendy restaurants.
