Koninklijke Nederlandse Schouwburg (Royal Dutch Theater), Ghent

Situated on the north side of Sint-Baafsplein Square, between St. Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry Tower, is a great historic building – The Royal Dutch Theater. Designed by architect Edmond De Vigne, it features a rather eclectic style, dominated by neo-Renaissance features.

Although the façade says “ANNO 1897”, the building was actually inaugurated only in 1899. The façade consists of three storeys of five bays. The central section of three bays is strongly accentuated and is flanked in the second and third storeys by four statues of men in 17th-century costume, made by Louis Mast. They represent the four chambers of rhetoric in Ghent: De Fonteine, Sint-Barbara, Sint-Agnete, and Maria ter Ere.

The central part of the façade is crowned by a monumental gable; the mosaic – nine meters wide and four meters high – incorporated into a round-arched tympanum, consisting of 70,000 ceramic stones in 500 different colors, was created by Constant Montald. It features a mythological scene depicting the god Apollo in his sun chariot, accompanied by nine muses, recognizable by their respective attributes.

At the very top of the building, majestically looking out over the square, is a bronze statue of a woman with a lyre – Lady Harmonia, the Genius of Music. This was designed by the Ghent sculptor, Aloys Buyens.

The building has been protected as a monument since 1986. It was completely renovated between 1987 and 1993 whilst adapted to the modern requirements of theater technology and fire safety.

Visitors are allowed inside the theater only during performances; however, the foyer on the first floor is open to all. You can purchase tickets in the entrance hall on the ground floor. If you happen to catch a play here, make sure also to go to the terrace for some nice views of Sint-Baafsplein.