The Duivelsteen is a medieval castle behind the Saint-Bavo's Cathedral, next to the river Scheldt. Most people in Ghent only visit the Gravensteen, the highlight of the city. However, there’s a second medieval castle, known as the Castle of Gerald The Devil. This castle was named after its first owner, the knight Gerald of Ghent, nicknamed the Devil because of his brutal reputation. It is said that he drowned his own son in the river, kicked his wife to death, and often organized strange parties in his castle. 

The castle is not open for visitors and is being renovated into office spaces. But the architecture is definitely worth the small detour!

I think the Saint-Peter’s Church is the most beautiful church in Ghent. This baroque masterpiece was built after the religious wars of the 16th century. It had to show the power and glory of the catholic church, and well… They succeeded. The church has massive marble columns, a magnificent organ, and a beautiful dome on top of it. 

If you walk around it, you’ll also discover the garden of the abbey behind it. A lovely place to sit below the fruit trees or relax between the only vineyards in Ghent. 

Ghent has a lot of medieval architecture, but also more recent monuments. In our main shopping street, you can find several former City Palaces. Magnificent mansions built by the wealthy aristocrats in the 17th and 18th century. 

One of these palaces, the Hotel D’Haene Steenhuyse, is free to visit during the weekends. It’s a building with a fascinating history behind it. When Napoleon escaped from his island, the French king Louis XVIII fled to Ghent. He stayed in this palace for months. Imagine him climbing the wooden staircase, dancing in the ballroom, and feasting in the saloons.