Page 141 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

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P Opera Ballet Vlaanderen
Schouwburgstraat 3.
Tel (09) 2681011. Open for
performances. & 8 3rd Sat of each
month. ∑ operaballet.be
This classic opera house, built
between 1837 and 1840, has
been restored to reclaim its
reputation as one of the most
spectacular theatres in Europe,
with an auditorium and
adjoining salons encrusted with
gilding, chandeliers, mural
paintings and sculptural A small courtyard surrounded by step-gabled houses in the Klein Begijnhof
decorations. The resident
companies are Opera P Klein Begijnhof works by artists such as Bacon,
Vlaanderen, which was formed Lange Violettestraat 205. Beuys, Broodthaers, Long,
when the opera companies of Open 6:30am–9:30pm daily. Muñoz, Nauman, Tuymans,
Ghent and Antwerp merged, The prettiest of Ghent’s three Panamarenko and Warhol.
and the Royal Ballet Flanders. béguinages, the Klein Begijnhof Temporary exhibitions feature
(Small Béguinage) was founded international artists at the
as a community of single women cutting edge of contemporary
in 1235 and has been contin­ art. The airy and attractive
uously occupied ever since, building dates from 1949 but
although the residents are no was remodelled in the 1990s.
longer béguines (see p65). The
rows of step­gabled whitewashed E Museum voor Schone
houses here, most dating from Kunsten
the 17th century, enclose a Ferdinand Scribedreef 1,
small park and a Baroque church. Citadelpark. Tel (09) 2400700.
Although just the grounds are Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. &
open to the public, the structure ∑ mskgent.be
is a beautiful site to behold. Ghent’s impressive collection of
pre­modern fine art is displayed
E Stedelijk Museum voor in this Neo­Classical building.
The opulent, renovated interior of the Actuele Kunst (SMAK) Medieval paintings include
Opera Ballet Vlaanderen Citadelpark. Tel (09) 2407601. the Bearing of the Cross by
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. & 0 Hieronymus Bosch as well as
E Stadsmuseum Gent = ∑ smak.be. work by such artists as Rogier van
(STAM) One of Europe’s most dynamic der Weyden and Hugo van der
Godshuizenlaan 2. Tel (09) 2671400. modern art galleries, SMAK is a Goes. Jordaens, Rubens, and van
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. & 8 force in the art world that, over Dyck are also rep resented here,
on request. 9 7 0 the past two decades, has along with James Ensor, Belgian
∑ stamgent.be helped bring the spotlight to Symbolists and artists belonging
This city museum offers a historic the Belgian art scene. Its to the St­Martens­Latem School
view of Ghent through multi­ permanent collection includes of Art (see p140).
media presen tations and a wide
variety of artifacts, treasures and
documentation. STAM is located
in the old Abdij van de Bijloke, a
rambling set of historic red­brick
buildings. This abbey, originally
founded in 1204, has over time
been a nunnery, a hospital and
a museum. The old cloisters,
dormitories and refectory (with
its 14th­century wall paintings)
provide a restful backdrop to
the exhibits, which take visitors
through all the phases of Ghent’s
history. This includes its medieval
hey day, the rebellion against
Charles V in 1539 (see p44) and
the industrial revolution. Grand Neo-Classical façade of the Museum voor Schone Kunsten

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