Korenmarkt (Wheat Market), Ghent

Korenmarkt (Wheat Market), Ghent (must see)

The Korenmarkt, or Wheat Market is a large square in the center of Ghent's historic district. It is called Wheat Market for the prosperous wheat trade beginning in the 10th and 11th centuries. Grain would be brought up the river Leie to Graslei (Grass Quai) and KorenLei (Wheat Quai). It then could be sold in the Wheat Market.

The Wheat Market is connected to two of Ghent's most active commercial streets, Veldstraat and Kortemunt on a north-south line. Saint Michael's Bridge reaches over the river Leie to St. Nicholas Church on the east side. On the west side is access to the waterfront and the Grass Quai.

The picturesque buildings around the square house bars, restaurants and terraces. Alongside St. Nicholas church there are the pubs of Klein Turkijie (Little Turky). The square was once the scene of bankruptcy auctions. The term "Little Turky" is actually a corruption of the expression "ter keie gaan", which means "hit rock bottom."

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ghent. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Korenmarkt (Wheat Market) on Map

Sight Name: Korenmarkt (Wheat Market)
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

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 Introduction Walking Tour

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
Ghent's Historical Buildings

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