Ghent - Hoogpoort Old Houses

There are many fine old houses in Hoogpoort which runs north of the Stadhuis.

On the Sint-Jorishof are No. 50 "Grote" or "Witte Moor" (15th century) and No. 52 "Zwarte Moor" (15th century), both fine examples of Brabant Gothic with typical stepped gables. No. 54 "De Grote Sikkel" (14th century) adjoins, once owned by the van Sikkeln family; today it houses the Academy of Music.

Off the Biezekapelstraat is the "De Achtersikkel" (16th century) with an attractive courtyard and small tower.

In Hoogpoort heading west are No. 33 "De Samson" (1481; the guild house of the Ghent goldsmiths until 1540), No. 15, "De Draecke" (15th century) and finally house No. 10 (1732). It is called "De Ram" and was originally occupied by an apothecary. On the facade are an apothecary sign and a bust of the botanist Carolus Clusius, founder of the botanical gardens in Leiden, Holland.