St Bavo's Cathedral
Church Gothic cathedral in Ghent housing famous altarpiece
Gothic cathedral in Ghent, Flanders, home to the Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers. Visitors come for medieval architecture, the altarpiece and bell-tower views.
St Bavo’s Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral in the centre of Ghent, Belgium, named for Saint Bavo and notable for its art and Gothic architecture. The building’s most famous possession is the Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432.
The cathedral’s principal highlight is the Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, a large and complex polyptych of central importance to Early Netherlandish art. Visitors also view the cathedral’s Gothic interior, carved choir stalls and ecclesiastical furnishings.
The site has housed churches since the medieval period; the current Gothic cathedral was built in stages between the 13th and 16th centuries on earlier foundations. Over centuries the building has been modified, restored and refitted while retaining key medieval fabric and artwork.
The cathedral stands at Sint-Baafsplein in central Ghent, within the city’s historic core and a short walk from the Graslei and Korenlei along the River Leie.
- Masterpiece: The cathedral houses the famous Ghent Altarpiece, completed in 1432 by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.
- Period and location: The present Gothic structure dates largely from the 13th to 16th centuries and sits at Sint-Baafsplein in central Ghent, close to other historic city landmarks.
What to See #
- Ghent Altarpiece: A large polyptych painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyck and completed in 1432, displayed in the cathedral's chapel and considered one of the most important works of Early Netherlandish painting.
How to Get to St Bavo's Cathedral #
St Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) sits on Sint-Baafsplein in Ghent city centre. From Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station it is an easy 20-25 minute walk into the old town, or you can take local trams that stop at Korenmarkt/Sint-Baafsplein (a short walk to the cathedral). By car Ghent is about 55 km west of Brussels via the E40 (around 45-60 minutes depending on traffic).
Tips for Visiting St Bavo's Cathedral #
- Arrive early in the morning (when the cathedral opens) to see the Ghent Altarpiece with fewer visitors; the altarpiece is one of the cathedral's main draws and may have queues later in the day.
- Enter from Sint‑Baafsplein beside the Belfry to be in the heart of the historic square and then buy timed-entry or tickets at the cathedral desk or official website-also check for mass times that can restrict visitor access.
- Don't rush past the main altar: allow time for the choir stalls and side chapels, where important artworks and funerary monuments are located and less-visited than the central altarpiece.
Best Time to Visit St Bavo's Cathedral #
Visit in shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) to combine mild weather with smaller crowds for art and architecture.
Weather & Climate near St Bavo's Cathedral #
St Bavo's Cathedral's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (809 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 83 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
