Kraanlei

Kraanlei Review

At the top of the narrow waterfront, medieval Crane Lane is the guild house of the Kraankinders (men of small stature who worked the cranes to unload the barges). Opposite, above a former wine merchant's house, is Gent's version of the Manneken Pis, a cute, pudgy statue relieving himself. Locals claim this figure is older than its counterpart in Brussels. Farther along the street, you can see two Baroque houses with elaborately decorated facades. A figure of a flute player crowns the old No. 79 (present-day No. 55); the house dates from 1669 and has panels representing the five senses. The panels of old No. 77 (present-day No. 57) illustrate six acts of mercy; hospitality to travelers was considered the seventh act of mercy, as the building was once an inn.