Attractions and Places To See around Gent - Top 20

The history of the 1898 The Post hotel begins at the end of the 19th century in the city of Ghent, Belgium. In 1898, the architect Louis Cloquet brought to life an imposing neo-Gothic building that was to serve as the city's new central post office. Located between the historic quays of Ghent and the Korenmarkt, this 4* houses the city's former central post office, a neo-Gothic architectural gem designed at the end of the 19th century by Louis Cloquet. Source: https://www.hotels-insolites.com/de/1898-the-post.hotel

Old Post Office (Ghent) It is richly decorated - the building of the old post office on the Korenmarkt in Ghent. Once, post coachmen used to stop here - today it is a luxury hotel and offers numerous shopping opportunities. Both continue to carry the name "Post" within them: the shopping center "De Post" and the hotel "1898 ThePost", which is furnished with elegant antique furniture and thus fits wonderfully with the magnificent building itself. Source: https://lion-tours.de/reiseservice/wissenswertes/europa/belgien/gent/

Sint Baafsplein The St. Bavo Square is a spacious rectangular square situated between the west facade of the Gothic St. Bavo Cathedral (to the east) and the belfry with the Cloth Hall (to the west). This square originated in 1897 during the reconstruction work at the foot of the belfry, with the disappearance of the Regnessestraat and the Sint-Jansstraat, which led from the belfry to the Nederpolder and the current St. Bavo Cathedral, respectively. The demolition of these streets was part of the project by Mayor Baron E. Braun to clear part of the old city center and thus create the famous sight with the three famous towers of Ghent. In 1899, the Royal Dutch Theatre was founded on the site of the Regnessestraat. Furthermore, the north side of the current square is occupied by a row of colorful bourgeois houses in the eclectic style from the first quarter of the 20th century. The other side (south side), the preserved street side of the disappeared Sint-Jansstraat, is built with spacious 18th-century mansions and bourgeois houses, among which the so-called Hotel Hamelinck stands out. Additionally, between them are heavily modified facades from the 18th and 19th centuries, behind which old cores are presumably hidden. Directly opposite the Royal Dutch Theatre, in the middle of Sint-Baafsplein, is a rectangular lawn with a monument dedicated to Jan Frans Willems (1798–1846), created by Isidoor De Rudder and inaugurated in 1899: a granite pedestal with a relief bust of J.F. Willems, depictions of his most important works, and mentions of his collaborators. On top of the pedestal stands a group of white marble symbolizing the awakening Flanders: a young man, symbolizing Flemish genius, awakens a maiden representing Flanders. Source: https://www.gent-geprent.com/straten-van-gent/straten-n-z/straten-s/st-baafsplein

The St Baafsplein is a spacious rectangular square located between the west facade of the Gothic St. Bavo's Cathedral (to the east) and the Belfry with the Cloth Hall (to the west). This square originated in 1897, as part of the transformation works at the foot of the Belfry, due to the disappearance of the Regnessestraat and the Sint-Jansstraat, respectively leading from the Belfry to the Nederpolder and to the current St. Bavo's Cathedral. The demolition of these streets was part of the project by mayor baron E. Braun to free up a part of the old city center, which created the renowned view with the three famous towers of Ghent. In 1899, the Royal Dutch Theatre was established on the site of the Regnessestraat. Furthermore, the north side of the current square is occupied by a series of colorful bourgeois houses in eclectic style from the first quarter of the 20th century. The opposite side (south side), which is the preserved street front of the disappeared Sint-Jansstraat, is built with spacious 18th-century mansions and bourgeois houses, among which the so-called Hotel Hamelinck particularly stands out. In addition, between these, there are heavily modified 18th and 19th-century facades behind which old cores are very likely hidden. Directly opposite the Royal Dutch Theatre, in the middle of the St. Baafsplein, there is a rectangular lawn with a monument dedicated to Jan Frans Willems (1798-1846), sculpted by Isidoor De Rudder and inaugurated in 1899: a granite pedestal with a relief of a bust of J.F. Willems, representations of his main works, and mention of his collaborators. On the pedestal rests a group in white marble, as a symbol of awakening Flanders: a young man symbolizing Flemish genius, awakens a maiden representing Flanders.

The building is constructed in an eclectic style with predominantly Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance influences, following the beautiful facade of the Guildhouse of the Free Skippers on the Graslei. It has octagonal towers with spires, including the stair tower on the corner with Sterrenstraat and the entrance, also with a stair tower, on Korenmarkt. Furthermore, the 52-meter-high clock tower is striking. The racing pigeons painted on the walls still refer to the original function of the building. Despite these traditional elements, contemporary materials and techniques have been used. Hygiene was a strong focus. The glass and steel structures were hidden behind colorful natural stone. The facades are richly decorated with statues, heads, and coats of arms, more than 100 in total. The facade decoration has an international character with a depiction of Belgium at the time and its colony, the five continents, and the reigning heads of state of all countries that were then part of the Universal Postal Union.

In 1909, the former post office stood at a busy intersection of access roads to the city. Postilions and the first horse-drawn trams stopped here. The lavishly decorated building, constructed in various architectural styles, has now been transformed into the shopping center "De Post" and the luxury hotel "1898 The Post." Note the beautiful, 52-meter-high tower clock. The interior is also magnificent. The historic building has been renovated but has retained its industrial character. You can visit it for fashion, interior design, and beauty products, and for a delicious lunch, brunch, or breakfast. The 1898 The Post hotel is located on the top floor of the building. Be sure to stop by the stylish cocktail bar, The Cobbler, for a drink with a view of the Sint-Michielsbrug and the Graslei.

Check the ferry schedule in advance: - During May, June, July, August, and September, and the Easter holidays: 7 days a week - from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM (or until sunset on shorter days of the year). - From October to April (excluding the Easter holidays) only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: same hours as above. The landing stage for one of these ferries is located along Dijkweg in Afsnee, near the St. John the Baptist Church on the right bank. A crossing is definitely worth the effort, as not only the Afsnee church but also the rectory and the village itself are protected gems. Further on, towards Sint-Denijs-Westrem and Sint-Martens-Latem, there are numerous hiking and cycling opportunities.

The richly decorated building, a blend of architectural styles, has been transformed into the "De Post" shopping center and the "1898 The Post" luxury hotel. Be sure to admire the 52-meter-high clock tower. The interior of the building is equally stunning. The historic structure has been renovated but retains its industrial character. Here you'll find fashion, interior design, and beauty products, and can enjoy a delicious lunch, brunch, or a delightful breakfast. The 1898 The Post Hotel is located on the top floor. A visit to the stylish cocktail bar, The Cobbler, is also highly recommended, where you can enjoy a drink with a view of St. Michael's Bridge and Graslei.