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.

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