Sights & Attractions in Gent
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Gent Sights
Getting around Gent has recently gotten easier as the city has formally established neighborhood names for the various historic areas in the city center. You'll find neighborhood signposts and sightseeing brochures (in several languages, including English) as you explore. The designated neighborhoods are generally named for a major landmark and include: Gravensteen, also known as Patershol (around the namesake castle, bounded by Kraanlei, Lange Steenstraat, and Geldmunt); Oud Begijnhof, northwest of the Gravensteen; Minnemeers, around the Museum voor Industriele Archeologie en Textiel; Vrijdagmarkt; Portus Ganda, around the quays on the Leie, east of the center; Torenrij, the area around Sint-Michielsbrug; Kouter, covering the streets around its namesake square; Klein Begijnhof; Bijloke; Sint-Pietersplein, around the train station; and Citadelpark.
One of the nicest neighborhoods to explore is the Gravensteen area, once the residential quarter for the textile workers from the Gravensteen. Its layout is medieval but its spirit is modern—the streets are now crammed with chic cafés and restaurants. It's the in place to live for well-off young couples.
Gent is also pursuing a few major water-based projects. More of the city's waterways are being opened to the public, after several decades spent covered up or built over. A new public marina in Portus Ganda area opened in April 2005. This large marina in the eastern part of the city has a dock for up to 80 boats. It's accessible by canal, so Gent can now be reached by pleasure craft from other Belgian cities as well as Holland, France, and the United Kingdom.
Gent's old town has been almost totally restored to its original form, and it now has the largest pedestrian area in Flanders. You'll have to walk along cobblestone streets and pavements, which can be tricky if you wear high-heeled shoes or open sandals. The city center looks like a puzzle piece, surrounded as it is by the river Leie, its tributaries, and canals. Although many people live and work in this area, most reside in neighboring quarters.
