Ghent - In Your Pocket

44 what to see
Former Dominican friary Het Pand, photo by Reine Ortiz
The World of KINA C-5, Sint-Pietersplein 14, tel. (+32)
244 73 73, fax (+32) 244 73 74, kinahuis@gent.ne,
www.dewereldvankina.be. This museum has been split
into two parts at different locations: The House and The Garden.
The Garden is a beautiful spot with borders full of special
plants and a room with information about the world of plants.
You should also take a look at the tarantulas. The House is a
colourful museum located in wonderful premises and seems
very modern at first glance. The way information is provided is
somewhat dated, however, and you would expect a museum,
particularly one aimed at kids, to offer a bit more interactivity.
That doesn’t mean that the large rooms with stuffed animals,
the dinosaur skeletons and the Neanderthals have lost any
of their appeal since the museum first opened its doors in
1924, however. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Sun 14:00 - 17:30.
Closed Sat. Admission: adults €2,50, between 12-25 years:
€1,25, children free till 12 years. TJAL
Parks & Gardens
Appelbrugparkje B-2, Jan Breydelstraat. Those who
are looking for a resting point in the middle of the bustling
historic centre can just take a fifteen minute break at the
little Appelbrug park. Walk all the way to the water and enjoy
the view: on your left the Old Fish Market and your right the
Great Butchers’ Hall. J
Baudelopark Baudelostraat. Baudelopark was the first
public park in the city. In the 16th century, this was the garden
of the Baudelo Abbey and during the French occupation it
became a botanical garden (which has now moved to the
edge of the Citadelpark). At the beginning of the last century,
a street (the Bibliotheekstraat) was constructed in the
middle of the park but at the request of the local residents
the street has been transformed into a bike and pedestrian
path that unites the park once more. Baudelopark includes
a playground and a small basketball court, and attracts a
young and more alternative public. During the Gentse Feesten,
this park is a Mecca for dance lovers with workshops in
different styles. TJ
Blaarmeersen Sport and Recreation Park Zuiderlaan
5-10, www.blaarmeersen.be. Blaarmeersen is 87
hectares of green space. This vast domain - with a gigantic
lake - offers numerous recreational activities. It includes an
athletics track, an adventure trail, climbing rocks and facilities
for minigolf, tennis and volleyball. There are three cafeterias
and a camping site with hiker’s huts. At Blaarmeersen, lots of
youngsters enjoy the sunny days at the beach area, because
they can take a refreshing dive in the pond or have fun on the
water slide. Access to Blaarmeersen is free, although from
May to August car-drivers pay an entrance fee of €2.50. T
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve Driepikkelstraat.
Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a green area just three
kilometers from the Castle of the Counts. Here you’ll find
210 hectares of wet grassland full of ditches and streams.
Birdwatchers love this place as it is one of the most birdrich
nature reserves in Flanders. In the area, no cyclists are
allowed but there are three marked trails of two or five and
a half kilometres. One of them takes you along the route of
the old railway which was used for the Ghent World Fair of
1913 when visitors could admire this showpiece section of
the Belgian railways. Every first Saturday of the month, there
is a free guided tour at 14:30. TU
Citadelpark Citadelpark. With its two museums (S.M.A.K
and Museum of Fine Arts), a botanical garden, a cast-iron
bandstand, an animal shelter and various artworks, Citadelpark
is undoubtedly the most versatile park in Ghent. The
park was named after the large-scale citadel that was built
on the site following the fall of Napoleon. In the park, you
can still see caves with remnants of primitive bunkers. As
in all other parks in Ghent, mainly students - with or without
textbooks - love lying in the grass. Plans are currently being
made to renovate the entire park. TJ
Garden of St Peter’s Abbey C-5, Sint-Pietersplein 9,
tel. (+32) 924 39 730, sintpietersabdij@gent.be, www.
gent.be/sintpietersabdij. Behind St Peter’s abbey lies a
lovely green garden with a grass field that, particularly on
sunny days, is a tempting place to just lie down for a while.
That is exactly what students from the neighbourhood
and all sorts of other people do when the sun shines. The
garden of the abbey is nicely situated between the former
monastery buildings and the Scheldt River. In addition to the
lawn, the garden features a vineyard, a small orchard and a
herb garden. You could also spot the ruins of the monastery’s
infirmary, which adds to the charm of this relaxing spot. Unlike
the abbey buildings, the garden is freely accessible. QOpen
10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon.
Keizerpark Brusselsesteenweg. Keizerpark was redeveloped
in 2009 and ever since has been an attractive place,
easily accessible thanks to the two bridges. On sunny days
local residents and students gather here, and children are
more than welcome. The little ones can enjoy themselves in
the playground while for older kids there is a skate park and
a basketball court. Via the wooden pontoon, anglers have
access to the banks of the Scheldt and also those who like
to barbecue can live it up here. T
Sightseeing Tours
Ghent-Authentic C-3, Keizer Karelstraat 97/201,
tel. (+32) 498 109 961, info@ghent-authentic.com,
www.ghent-authentic.com. Ghent’s cobblestone
streets can get to even the most hardy of travelers.
One of the best ways to avoid unnecessary walking is
therefore to join these local experts. Sightseeing tours in
English, French, Dutch and German. Very knowledgeable
guides take you beyond the classic sights, and lace their
tours with wonderful anecdotes and stories. There are a
range of tours to choose from, including Mystic Middle
Ages, Ghent by Night and UNESCO Ghent to name
just three. Ghent-Authentic can also arrange private,
customized tours. J
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