Flowers and plants have played a major role in Ghent’s history for centuries. A flower market, a botanical garden, a host of horticulturists around the city: the more flowers the merrier.
Ghent deserves to be called the epicentre of Belgian horticulture. Many enthusiastic horticulturists are still active in the region around the city. The flower and plant market on Kouter square dates back to 1772 and has become the ultimate meeting place for Ghentians on weekends. Incredible, right? And the quadrennial Ghent Floralies, organised in Citadelpark and recognised as Flemish intangible cultural heritage since 2020, had a modest first edition in 1809. The Ghent University Botanical Garden has its origins in a garden laid out in 1798 by the then new Baudelooschool.
If you come to Ghent in spring, you’ll discover the most stunning flower beds in the city. It’s wonderful to stroll among the flowers in the streets and on squares. You can also enjoy the green wealth indoors, thanks to the botanical splendour of the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. The heavenly garden on the famous polyptych contains as many as 75 different flowers, plants and trees.
From a nice sharp cheese with floral crust to jewellery that refers to a special flower shape: Ghent entrepreneurs like to be inspired by flowers and plants. Some get straight to the point, others subtly incorporate the theme into their designs or products. Each in their own way, these creative Ghentians make the connection between the city and its flora even stronger.
