Saint Bavo's Abbey

Geschiedenis

Saint Bavo's Abbey is a former abbey in the currently Belgian city of Ghent. It was founded in the 7th century by Saint Amand, who also founded Saint Peter's Abbey, Ghent, near the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. Originally, the abbey was also called Ganda, a name of Celtic origin, meaning "river mouth", referring to the Leie river debouching into the Scheldt river.In the 9th century, the abbey was raided twice by Vikings, which made the monks flee to Laon. After an absence of nearly 50 years, they came back to Ghent and re-established the abbey. The German emperor Otto II saw the abbey as a strategical defense point on the Scheldt river in his eternal conflict with Louis V of France.John of Gaunt, the fourth son of Edward III of England, was born in the abbey in 1340.In 1540 Charles V ordered the destruction of the abbey. A coercion castle, with its cannons directed at Ghent, was built on the location of the abbey.

"Middeleeuwse abdij met intacte refter, ruïnes en tuin. Een echte oase in de stad. In 2023 is de abdij open van zaterdag 1 april tot en met 29 oktober 2023, telkens op vrijdag-, zaterdag- en zondagnamiddag van 14 uur tot 18 uur.In de winter is de abdij de abdij gesloten voor publiek."