Ghent - Cathedral of St Bavon Sint-Baafskathedraal

On the eastern side of Sint-Baafsplein stands Sint-Baafskathedraal (Cathedral of St Bavon), a majestic building of brick and granite with a Romanesque crypt of its predecessor, Sint-Jans church. Charles V gave the cathedral its present name after he destroyed the old Sint-Baafsabdij to build a fortress. The High Gothic cathedral choir is 13/14th C., the late Gothic tower and the main nave are 15/16th C., whereas the transept and the nave were only completed in 1539-1559. The tower, which lost its roof in a fire in 1602, has a carillon and there is a good view from its platform.