Behold Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. It stands as a testament to centuries of history. The Gothic architecture soars. Its spire reaches 89 metres high.
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is in Ghent Belgium. This Roman Catholic cathedral is named for Saint Bavo of Ghent. It stands on the site of a former chapel. This chapel was dedicated to St John the Baptist. Bishop Transmarus consecrated it in 942.
Around 1274 construction began on a Gothic church. From the 14th through 16th centuries the church expanded. This expansion was nearly continuous. It included a new choir and radiating chapels. Transepts were expanded. A chapter house and nave aisles were added. A single-tower western section completed the structure.
Rebellion marked 1539. It was against Charles V. The old Abbey of St Bavo was dissolved. Its abbot and monks became canons. They were attached to the Church of St Bavo. The church became a cathedral when the Diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559. Construction finished on 7 June 1569.
Calvinist iconoclasts wreaked havoc in 1566. They visited Catholic churches. Saint Bavo suffered. Stained-glass windows shattered. Statues smashed. Paintings and artworks destroyed. They perceived these as idolatrous. The Van Eycks altarpiece survived this destruction.
The Ghent Altarpiece is a highlight. It is also called the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Hubert and Jan van Eyck created it. The altarpiece is considered Van Eyck’s masterpiece. It is an important work of the early Northern Renaissance. Part of the painting was stolen in 1934. It has not been recovered. Jef Van der Veken created a facsimile.
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral boasts other religious art. Peter Paul Rubens painted Saint Bavo enters the Convent at Ghent. Works by Lucas de Heere are present. Frans Pourbus the Elder painted History of Saint Andrew. Caspar de Crayer is represented by paintings. These include St Macarius of Gent and The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Antoon van den Heuvel contributed to the Christ and the Adulterous Woman. He also painted the Resurrection of Christ. Lucas van Uden and Jan van Cleef also have works here.
Petrus Norbertus van Reysschoot painted a series of eleven grisailles. These decorate the choir. They depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
The cathedral has four organs. The main organ is the biggest in the Low Countries. It has more than 6000 pipes. The organ case dates from the 18th century. It has five manuals.
The high choir is impressive. It features stalls for the Chapter of Saint-Bavon. The episcopal throne is on the right side. The Baroque high altar dates from 1702 to 1782. It is made of white black and red flamed marble. The tomb monuments of Ghent bishops are here. Jerome Duquesnoy II created the tomb of Antonius Triest. The gallery displays painted crests of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Lucas de Heere painted The Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon. It was painted in 1559. King Solomon is depicted as Philip II of Spain. The Queen of Sheba represents the Low Countries.
Laurent Delvaux created the Rococo pulpit. It dates from 1741 to 1745. It is made of oak gilded wood and marble. J. Arens made the wrought-iron railings. Maarten Van Severen designed the chairs. The main altar sits between the nave and the choir.
The Chapel of the Holiest displays a Calvary Triptych. It is attributed to Justus van Gent. There is a valuable collection of liturgical plates and reliquaries. They date from the 15th century onward. Reliquaries include the head of Saint John the Baptist.
The Chapter of Saint-Bavo is still housed inside. Members have been important prelates. Jozef De Kesel is one of the honorary canons. The chapters of Haarlem and Ghent are united in friendship.
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral stands not only as a religious monument but also as a repository of art history and cultural identity for Ghent and Belgium. It is well worth the visit.