City Pavilion Ghent

The multifunctional, open city hall is an architectural masterpiece by Robbrecht & Daem / Marie-José Van Hee architects.
Particularly striking are the roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete. There is room for concerts, dance performances and markets.

A 'grand café' is hidden under the city hall: this semi-underground Belfry City Café and City Restaurant is already a bustling catering place with space for 300 people. You can enjoy a drink, a dish of the day or an à la carte menu.

The city park on the lower level, The Green, is delimited by a stone wall. Here you can rest, read or stroll around. Stairs and ramps connect the park with the higher street levels. Diagonal footpaths connect the Donkersteeg with the Mageleinstraat and Cataloniastraat, and invite you to shop and stroll.

Source of the Kneeling
These naked youths look at themselves in the water of the fountain. The Greek mythological figure Narcissus also did this, out of love for himself. When the artwork was placed here in 1937, the bourgeoisie thought it was immoral. Today nobody is shocked by those naked boys. Artist George Minne was inspired by the figurines on Gothic buildings.

Source: Visitgent

The new building between the Belfry and the Sint-Niklaaskerk is the Stadshal. It has already caused a great deal of controversy since the construction works. It is an open hall with a café, bicycle shed and public utilities. The square, previously a busy car park, has now become a green park and, together with the city hall, has been used as an event space. For the Gentenaars it takes getting used to this contemporary building with tropical hardwood. After all, the open space is disappearing and the new construction partly obscures the view of the Belfry.

It's a big strange barnlike structure that seems to serve no purpose at first sight. Many Ghentians disliked it when first build, incluiding myself. That's why it was nicknamed "de schaapstal" (sheep barn) but I have to admit that it has grown on me. It's roof has shelterd many events and organizations from harsh weather or has brought shade on hot summer days. In august you will find a piano here to showcase your talent an during the winter festivities you can iceskate here while others enjoy some gluhwein at the side.