Sint-Baafskathedraal

About the museum

On the site of the Sint-Baafskathedraal already stood, in the tenth century, the first parish church of Ghent, the Sint-Janskerk. In the twelfth century a Romanesque church was built, whose crypt has survived. From the end of the thirteenth century the building was extended ever higher and more Gothic, with a high choir and a choir ambulatory with fourteen chapels. In 1534 the church received an 89-metre west tower, and in 1590 the nave was also finished.

In 1536 Emperor Charles V dissolved the Sint-Baafsabdij, and the monks moved to the Sint-Janskerk, which from then on was called Sint-Baafskerk. When the diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559, the church became a cathedral. In the seventeenth century Bishop Antonius Triest had the interior furnished in the baroque style, including an altarpiece by Pieter Paul Rubens.

The most famous work of art is the polyptych De aanbidding van het Lam Gods by the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, which was installed in 1432 in the chapel of Joos Vijd and Elisabeth Borluut. The work had a turbulent history of wars, fire and theft. After a thorough restoration it found its place in the Sacramentskapel in 2021, and since then it can be seen in the visitor centre. The third and final restoration phase began in May 2023; the panels of the upper register were moved to MSK Gent for this purpose and temporarily replaced by photographs. The works are scheduled to finish in spring 2027.

Highlights

• The Lam Gods by Hubert and Jan van Eyck (1432) in the Sacramentskapel
• Augmented reality tour with AR glasses in the crypt, also as a Kids tour and a Master of detail tour
• Romanesque crypt beneath the cathedral
• Baroque works of art, including De intrede van Sint-Bavo by Rubens
• Calvary triptych by Justus van Gent and the monumental tomb of Bishop Triest
• Evangelarium of Livinus, one of the oldest surviving books in Belgium

Permanent exhibition

• Het Lam Gods van Hubert en Jan van Eyck – The polyptych from 1432 is in the Sacramentskapel; during the restoration the panels of the upper register were replaced by high-resolution photographs. An AR tour in the crypt tells the story of the work and of the cathedral.

Founded

2021

Operated by

Kerkfabriek Sint-Baafs (bisdom Gent)

Admission & discounts

Visiting the cathedral itself is free; the visitor centre with the Lam Gods is paid. Tickets (€12.50 for the Lam Gods only, €16 with the AR tour) are best bought in advance online, because they sell out quickly at weekends and on public holidays. With the CityCard Gent you get €10 off a Lam Gods ticket, but then you must book online. Individual tickets are valid for groups of up to 15 people.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The cathedral is reachable via a ramp, and the visitor centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users; from the crypt a lift takes you to the choir ambulatory where the Lam Gods is displayed. Next to the crypt there is an adapted toilet. For blind and partially sighted visitors there is a separate AR tour of about 40 minutes (in Dutch only, with a guide) with a tactile model of the cathedral and a tactile version of the central panel; outside, a model of the building stands. Tactile studs for partially sighted people have been fitted to the stairs. Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can follow the 40-minute AR tour (in Dutch) with subtitles on a tablet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 6+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The Kids tour with augmented reality (from 6 years) has playful elements and a virtual bishop tailored to young visitors. Families can also choose between different tours. Handrails are at child height, a spacious lift makes the visit possible with a pushchair, and there is a toilet with a changing table.

Getting there & parking

The cathedral lies in Ghent's low-emission zone; vehicles with a foreign number plate must always register via stad.gent. The visitor centre's entrance is at the golden door to the left of the altar.

Amenities & dining

The visitor centre has a meeting room with Wi-Fi for tenants; visitor Wi-Fi is not mentioned.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 20 guests.

Meeting room in the visitor centre of 45 m² with screen and projector; evening openings (nocturnes) are also possible.

Plan your visit