Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) in Ghent serves as the seat of the Diocese of Ghent. The site has housed a place of worship since at least 942, beginning with a wooden chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. A Romanesque church was constructed in the 12th century, remnants of which are visible in the crypt. The transition to the current Gothic structure commenced around 1274, with significant expansions occurring from the 14th to the 16th centuries, including the choir, transepts, nave, and the west tower, which was constructed between 1462 and 1538. In 1559, following the establishment of the Diocese of Ghent, the church was elevated to cathedral status, and construction was considered complete in 1569.
Saint Bavo's Cathedral and tower
The cathedral is renowned for housing the Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a 15th-century polyptych by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. This masterpiece is considered a significant work of early Northern Renaissance art.
You may also like