De Krook Library

This architectural work of art is a unique meeting place for residents, students and visitors. The imposing building is located in a place formerly called "Waalse Krook", in a bend ("krook") of the Scheldt, where ships brought coal from Wallonia.

You can meet others, soak up culture, have a quiet drink or get started with innovations and technologies such as 3D printing and virtual reality. In addition to people, the building also connects the Historical Center and the Arts Quarter.

Various institutions offer their services on the site. Together they are called "the residents of Krook". In addition to the city library, Imec (Flemish research center for nanoelectronics and digital technologies), Ghent University and Urgent.fm also have their place at De Krook.

The building also includes a multipurpose room, a reading room and a reading café.

Nice piece of architecture
The monumental building, with art integration by artist Michaël Borremans, was designed by the Ghent architectural firm Coussée & Goris architects and their partner TV RCR Aranda Pigem Vilalta Arquitectes. This Spanish architecture firm also received the Pritzker Prize this year, the highest international award for architecture!

Seating on the water
At the bend of the Scheldt there is a quay promenade, Nelson Mandelapromenade, with seating space. Moorings are provided for pleasure craft and taxi boats. The quays and surroundings have been given more greenery and are a perfect place to escape the bustle of the city.

source: visitgent

do you know why the ghent is called de Krook? It is an indirect link with the name of the neighborhood where the building now rises, namely Waalse Krook. Walloon refers to the Walloon skippers who came to Ghent during the 18/19th century with ships loaded with coal from the mines of Hainaut. At the height of the Kuiperskaai (on the other side) the Scheldt made a bend (a "kruuk" in the old Ghent dialect = creek ov fold) Dutchized to "krook". Waalse was dropped from the name, but the "krook" remained intact.

The new library of Ghent was one of BBC top 10 most beautiful libraries in 2017. A modern and great piece of architecture. On the top floor you have an amazing view of the canal and the three towers of Ghent. But make sure you are quiet because this is also the study room!!! (during exams in januari and june it's completely full of students)