Ghent Market Hall
Ghent Market Hall
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.0
140 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
27
Average
37
Poor
14
Terrible
28
tk3232
Sugar Land, TX4,269 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
City Market Hall (Stadshal) located in the old town near Belfry (Belfort) Tower. In Saturday when we stopped for a few hours in Ghent, there was no market here. The Hall located in a public square, partially sheltered by a modern twin-gabled timber roof meant to evoke the rooftops of medieval Ghent.
But regardless its unpopularity among the local, it is a very useful place for tourists. On the lower level (let's say underground or underneath the Hall) you will find a free pubic WC, a bicycle rental office and parking garage for it. Also you will find a cafe over there for quick bite or for real lunch. Also this is very good point of view for original 17th-century bell from adjacent belfry. Sit of the bench and listen its beautiful sound of bells.
But regardless its unpopularity among the local, it is a very useful place for tourists. On the lower level (let's say underground or underneath the Hall) you will find a free pubic WC, a bicycle rental office and parking garage for it. Also you will find a cafe over there for quick bite or for real lunch. Also this is very good point of view for original 17th-century bell from adjacent belfry. Sit of the bench and listen its beautiful sound of bells.
Written October 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dec 2011 • Friends
It doesn't happen every day that you're able to see a future tourist hot spot. Sometimes we do forget that even in Bruges, Antwerp or Brussels some things are not exactly what they seem to be as these monuments were placed there only 100 years ago to please visitors and tourists. That's what's happening these days in Ghent with a fresh reinterpretation of medieval cloth halls and wooden structures. The building is being finished now. The groundlevel will be an attractive non commercial shelter for rain or sun. , as well as a place for cultural and other events. The basement will be occupied be a large 'Grand Café' and the sunken park in front of the hall will attract sun lovers. Other points of interest or attraction will be the covered bicycle parking, the Mathilde Clock and the 'Fountain with Kneeling Youths' by Georges Minne.
Written December 22, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mister m
Antwerp, Belgium23 contributions
Feb 2013 • Family
The City Hall is an interesting building in the historic center of Gent. It's beautiful to see how modern 21st century architecture is combined with medival architecture. The building is in harmony with the historic building that surround it. The "Grand Café" in the cellar is nice.
I frequently visit Gent and I can only say that this is an improvement. This space has been a dusty parking lot for decades. It's nice to see how this space has been improved.
I frequently visit Gent and I can only say that this is an improvement. This space has been a dusty parking lot for decades. It's nice to see how this space has been improved.
Written April 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arun316
Mumbai, India35 contributions
Dec 2019
Have visited christmas markets in Berlin, Prague, Budapest and even in Belgium - Bruges and Ostende, but I have to admit that Ghent has the best Christmas market among them, at least comparing to Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt. Granted, it is not as good as the Berlin biggie, but Ghent has very good eating opportunities along with wine and other drinks. Time passes quickly and yes, everyone is happy!
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yves d
Paris, France1 contribution
Apr 2013 • Family
One of the main disasters afflicting a European historical city since post-WW2 reconstruction years. Disproportionate, ill-placed, costly, totally useless, and with an adjacent concrete belltower of mind-boggling horror. Moreover, a complete breach of governance towards UNESCO, who was not even consulted despite the World Heritage status of the Belfry site, and towards the Ghent population, who by referendum had voted for a simple, building-free green park. The favourite nicknames locally used for this "Stadshal" are "Schandhal" (Hall of shame, Scandal) or "Schaapstal" (sheep shed).
Written April 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSDW
Gent3 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
It may divide the city in believers and not-believers, and on stand-alone it may have interesting architectural/technical features (that I fail to see to be honest, but I'm not a specialist). But for sure, this is extremely misplaced, just a self-centric prestige project dropped in a splendid medieval site. It is disruptive, it is just ugly concrete with some roof... Cannot imagine a second this would be possible in other homogenuous medieval/historical sceneries as, randomly, Siena or Bruges. Unbelievable this came through...
There are good examples of nice combination of ancient and modern architecture. This clearly is not.
There are good examples of nice combination of ancient and modern architecture. This clearly is not.
Written April 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana Perera
Havana, Cuba40 contributions
Oct 2012
Terrible architecture really bad idea that block what once was a beautifull view of the sorrounding buildings, we go to Ghent atracted for its historical impact as city and this enormes ugly pretencios construction is really like one stone in the shoes.
Written October 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulNa
Aylesford, UK194 contributions
Sep 2012 • Friends
I saw this wooden cowshed for the first time on Thursday. I cannot believe this disastrous building was allowed to be built in it's medieval setting. What fools thought it would be attractive or appropriate? Completely out of place, even in a field of cows.
Written September 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
axd1967
gent1 contribution
Apr 2013 • Solo
the building is architecturally interesting, but totally out of harmony with the medieval Belfry. this is the only, but major issue that defaces the city centre
it breaks interesting viewing angles: form the Donkersteeg, and towards the city hall.
it is a disgrace for the City of Gent.
it breaks interesting viewing angles: form the Donkersteeg, and towards the city hall.
it is a disgrace for the City of Gent.
Written April 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veleiro
Dunkirk, France108 contributions
Nov 2012 • Business
For the last 50 years, this square was nothing more than an ordinary windy parking spot. In these days, there were no reviewers to complain about this and there was hardly anyone who had the imagination of thinking of something new for the heart of Ghent.
But finally some enlightened people decided to ban the car and introduced a lovely sunken green with some little statues (*) and historic relicts. And because Belgians love to build, a new hall was added and splits now the original ugliness into three different attractive elements: two little intimate squares and a park. It was designed by Robbrecht and Daem who introduced also Bruges into the 21st century with the splendid Concertgebouw.
The construction of steel and wood is multifunctional and doesn't block any sights. I'd say rather on the contrary as it guides the eye of the visitor and creates new perspectives from the narrow streets around. The 'Stadshal' hides the ugly roofs of the southside of the City Hall. It's just a matter of time before this public building will be an integral part of over 1000 years of Ghent architectural splendor.
On the lowest level 'Belfort Stadscafé' helps the hungry and thirsty ones. There's room for over 300 customers. Very convenient for older or disabled people, as there's not a single step to take!
(*) Don't miss the art deco fountain with 5 kneeling youths by Georges Minne. Locals have a nickname for this delicate piece of art: 'The peeing boys.'
But finally some enlightened people decided to ban the car and introduced a lovely sunken green with some little statues (*) and historic relicts. And because Belgians love to build, a new hall was added and splits now the original ugliness into three different attractive elements: two little intimate squares and a park. It was designed by Robbrecht and Daem who introduced also Bruges into the 21st century with the splendid Concertgebouw.
The construction of steel and wood is multifunctional and doesn't block any sights. I'd say rather on the contrary as it guides the eye of the visitor and creates new perspectives from the narrow streets around. The 'Stadshal' hides the ugly roofs of the southside of the City Hall. It's just a matter of time before this public building will be an integral part of over 1000 years of Ghent architectural splendor.
On the lowest level 'Belfort Stadscafé' helps the hungry and thirsty ones. There's room for over 300 customers. Very convenient for older or disabled people, as there's not a single step to take!
(*) Don't miss the art deco fountain with 5 kneeling youths by Georges Minne. Locals have a nickname for this delicate piece of art: 'The peeing boys.'
Written January 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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