Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market), Ghent
The Old Fish Market (Oude Vismijn) is one of the oldest and most historically significant marketplaces in Ghent. Originally located on the site of today's Vegetable Market Square (Groentenmarkt), the market moved in 1689 to its current location on Sint-Veerleplein, where it was marked by the construction of a distinctive Baroque-style gatehouse and permanent open-air stables.
The gatehouse, also built in 1689, is notable for its charming Baroque architecture and was originally adorned with statues of three sea gods. However, a fire in 1872 damaged these statues, and only the statue of Neptune, which sits atop the gatehouse fa莽ade, survived. The other two statues were replaced with figures representing the rivers Scheldt and Leie.
As part of the reconstruction efforts following the fire, a covered market hall was added to accommodate meat and vegetable trading, while the open square outside continued to serve the fish trade. In preparation for the 1913 World's Fair, the building received Neo-Gothic facades, adding to its architectural significance.
Throughout the 20th century, the Old Fish Market underwent various functional changes, serving as a tire center and a bowling hall at different times. Following a period of vacancy, the city administration launched a competition to repurpose the building, leading to its redevelopment as a catering business in 2010. Since March 2012, the Old Fish Market has served as the home of the Ghent Tourism Office, blending its rich historical legacy with modern utility.
The gatehouse, also built in 1689, is notable for its charming Baroque architecture and was originally adorned with statues of three sea gods. However, a fire in 1872 damaged these statues, and only the statue of Neptune, which sits atop the gatehouse fa莽ade, survived. The other two statues were replaced with figures representing the rivers Scheldt and Leie.
As part of the reconstruction efforts following the fire, a covered market hall was added to accommodate meat and vegetable trading, while the open square outside continued to serve the fish trade. In preparation for the 1913 World's Fair, the building received Neo-Gothic facades, adding to its architectural significance.
Throughout the 20th century, the Old Fish Market underwent various functional changes, serving as a tire center and a bowling hall at different times. Following a period of vacancy, the city administration launched a competition to repurpose the building, leading to its redevelopment as a catering business in 2010. Since March 2012, the Old Fish Market has served as the home of the Ghent Tourism Office, blending its rich historical legacy with modern utility.
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Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market) on Map
Sight Name: Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market)
Sight Location: Ghent, Belgium (See walking tours in Ghent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ghent, Belgium (See walking tours in Ghent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ghent, Belgium
Create Your Own Walk in Ghent
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ghent is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ghent Introduction Walking Tour
Some historians believe "Ghent" comes from the Celtic word, "ganda." "Ganda" meant a confluence, as with two rivers. There are traces of human settlements as far back as the stone age at the confluence of the rivers Scheldt and Leie in Belgium.
With the Frankish invasions at the end of the 4th century AD, the Celtic language was replaced by Old Dutch and this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
With the Frankish invasions at the end of the 4th century AD, the Celtic language was replaced by Old Dutch and this... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Ghent's Historical Buildings
The medieval city of Ghent is full of wonderful old buildings, some dating back as far as the 12th-13th centuries. Medieval buildings are indeed everywhere here, and if you're interested in the heritage fit to capture you imagination, you will find plenty of it in Ghent鈥檚 historic downtown.
And you won鈥檛 have to look far for the World Heritage worthy of its name either. The Castle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
And you won鈥檛 have to look far for the World Heritage worthy of its name either. The Castle of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles