Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market), Ghent
The Oude Vismijn (Fish Market) is one of the oldest marketplaces in Ghent. Initially, it was found on today's Groentenmarkt (Vegetable Market Square). In 1689 the market moved to its current location on Sint-Veerleplein complete with its signature gatehouse and permanent open-air stables.
The charming, Baroque-style gatehouse, built in 1689, was originally decorated with three statues of sea gods. Unfortunately, those were badly damaged by fire in 1872. Only the statue of Neptune, located at the top of the façade, had survived. The other two statues had to be replaced with the sculpted figures of a man and a woman, representing the rivers Scheldt and Leie respectively. Eventually, a covered market hall for meat and vegetables had been added, as part of the reconstruction, while the open market square outside continued to hold fish trade.
In anticipation of the 1913 World's Fair, the building was fitted with Neo-Gothic facades. Later in the 20th century it underwent a number of functional changes, serving, at various points, as a tyre center and a bowling hall. The vacancy was brought to an end when the city administration launched a competition to give the property a new purpose. In 2010 the building was redeveloped as a catering business.
As of March 2012, the Oude Vismijn has been a home to the Ghent Tourism Office.
The charming, Baroque-style gatehouse, built in 1689, was originally decorated with three statues of sea gods. Unfortunately, those were badly damaged by fire in 1872. Only the statue of Neptune, located at the top of the façade, had survived. The other two statues had to be replaced with the sculpted figures of a man and a woman, representing the rivers Scheldt and Leie respectively. Eventually, a covered market hall for meat and vegetables had been added, as part of the reconstruction, while the open market square outside continued to hold fish trade.
In anticipation of the 1913 World's Fair, the building was fitted with Neo-Gothic facades. Later in the 20th century it underwent a number of functional changes, serving, at various points, as a tyre center and a bowling hall. The vacancy was brought to an end when the city administration launched a competition to give the property a new purpose. In 2010 the building was redeveloped as a catering business.
As of March 2012, the Oude Vismijn has been a home to the Ghent Tourism Office.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
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Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market) on Map
Sight Name: Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market)
Sight Location: Ghent, Belgium (See walking tours in Ghent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ghent, Belgium (See walking tours in Ghent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ghent, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Ghent
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ghent is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ghent's Historical Buildings
The medieval city of Ghent is full of wonderful old buildings, some dating back as far as the 12th-13th centuries. Medieval buildings are indeed everywhere here, and if you're interested in the heritage fit to capture you imagination, you will find plenty of it in Ghent’s historic downtown.
And you won’t have to look far for the World Heritage worthy of its name either. The Castle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
And you won’t have to look far for the World Heritage worthy of its name either. The Castle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Ghent Introduction Walking Tour
Some historians believe "Ghent" comes from the Celtic word, "ganda." "Ganda" meant a confluence, as with two rivers. There are traces of human settlements as far back as the stone age at the confluence of the rivers Scheldt and Leie in Belgium.
With the Frankish invasions at the end of the 4th century AD, the Celtic language was replaced by Old Dutch and this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
With the Frankish invasions at the end of the 4th century AD, the Celtic language was replaced by Old Dutch and this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles