How long does it take to walk the Altarpiece trail in Ghent?

The walk itself takes about 30 minutes of active walking, but you should allow at least 90 minutes to 2 hours if you plan to explore the museum and enter the cathedral to see the painting.

Is the Ghent Altarpiece still being restored?

The restoration is a multi-phase project that began in 2012. While several major panels are finished and back in the cathedral, work on the upper register panels continues periodically at the MSK.

Can I see the Ghent Altarpiece for free?

You can see the exterior of the cathedral and walk the trail for free, but viewing the actual Ghent Altarpiece in its visitor center requires a paid ticket. The cathedral interior itself is free to enter, but the masterpiece is behind a ticketed area.

Where is the stolen panel of the Ghent Altarpiece?

The 'Just Judges' panel was stolen in 1934 and remains one of the world's great art mysteries. A copy painted by Jef Van der Veken now sits in its place within the altarpiece at Saint Bavo's Cathedral.

Is this walking route accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, Ghent's city center is relatively flat and the route follows paved sidewalks. Saint Bavo's Cathedral has been updated with modern accessibility features including an elevator for the altarpiece viewing area.

What is the best time of day for this Ghent walking route?

Start in the morning around 10:00 AM. This allows you to visit the MSK when it opens and reach the cathedral before the heaviest afternoon tourist crowds arrive.

Who were the Van Eyck brothers?

Hubert and Jan van Eyck were 15th-century Flemish painters. Jan is world-renowned for his mastery of oil painting and realism, while Hubert is the mysterious older brother who began the Ghent Altarpiece.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

1 hr 30 min

Duration

6

Stops

Easy

Difficulty

About This Tour

Ghent is a city where history is painted in layers, and no single object captures that spirit better than the 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.' This self-guided walk invites you to trace the footsteps of the Van Eyck brothers, the masters of the Northern Renaissance, through the heart of the city. Your adventure begins at the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), the site of the painstaking modern restoration that brought the altarpiece's vibrant colors back to life after centuries of overpainting. This walking route is more than just an art history lesson; it is a journey through the survival of the world's most stolen artwork, which has survived fires, iconoclasm, and even Nazi looting. As you move from the lush greenery of Citadelpark toward the medieval core, you will encounter the monumental bronze tribute to Hubert and Jan van Eyck and the brooding stone walls of the Castle of Gerald the Devil. The journey culminates at Saint Bavo's Cathedral, the majestic Gothic home where the masterpiece has resided for most of its 600-year history. This neighborhood stroll offers a flexible way to explore Ghent's artistic heritage independently, allowing you to pause for a Belgian waffle or a coffee whenever the mood strikes. Whether you are an art aficionado or a first-time visitor, this walking route provides a deep connection to the soul of Ghent and the genius of the Flemish Primitives.

Highlights

The Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) restoration site
The grand 1913 monument to the Van Eyck brothers
The imposing 13th-century Castle of Gerald the Devil
Historic Kalandeberg square
The final destination: Saint Bavo's Cathedral
The story of the stolen 'Just Judges' panel

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour

Tour Stops (6)

1

Museum voor Schone Kunsten (MSK)

Welcome to the Museum of Fine Arts, or MSK. This is where the modern chapter of the Ghent Altarpiece's story truly began. In 2012, a massive restoration project was launched here, allowing the public to watch through a glass wall as experts used scalpels and microscopes to remove centuries of yellowed varnish and 16th-century overpaint. They discovered that Jan van Eyck's original work was even more detailed and luminous than anyone had realized. While the panels rotate between here and the cathedral, the MSK remains the best place to understand the technical genius of the Flemish Primitives and the science required to preserve their legacy for the next 600 years.

2

Kalandeberg

As you stand in Kalandeberg, you are at a historic crossroads of Ghent's social and commercial life. This square was once a hub for the wealthy textile merchants who funded the city's grand religious projects. The patrons of the Ghent Altarpiece, Joos Vijd and his wife Elisabeth Borluut, were exactly this kind of power couple. They commissioned the work not just for religious devotion, but to ensure their names would be remembered forever. Look around at the surrounding architecture; the mix of styles reflects the city's evolution from a medieval powerhouse to a modern cultural capital.

3

Monument of the Van Eyck Brothers

This impressive bronze monument was unveiled in 1913 for the World Exhibition in Ghent. It depicts the brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck sitting side-by-side. Hubert, the elder, is credited with starting the 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,' while Jan is the one who brought it to its breathtaking completion in 1432. For years, historians debated if Hubert even existed, but this monument stands as a firm testament to the city's pride in both men. The detail in the bronze figures mirrors the precision Jan was famous for in his oil paintings—a technique he perfected to create the illusion of light and texture.

4

Geeraard de Duivelsteen

The Castle of Gerald the Devil, with its dark, weathered stone, looks like it was plucked straight from a gothic novel. Built in the 13th century, it has served many roles: a knight’s residence, an arsenal, a school, a prison, and even an asylum. While it wasn't the home of the painting, its proximity to the cathedral made it a silent witness to the many times the altarpiece was moved to safety during wars and religious upheavals. Its name comes from the knight Geeraard Vilain, whose dark complexion earned him the nickname 'The Devil.'

5

Bisdom Gent

You are now outside the Bishop's Palace, the administrative heart of the Diocese of Ghent. The altarpiece is not just a work of art; it is a sacred liturgical object owned by the church. Over the centuries, the bishops here have had the difficult task of protecting the panels from invading armies. During the French Revolution, the central panels were taken to Paris. In World War II, they were hidden in a French château and later found by the 'Monuments Men' in an Austrian salt mine. The palace stands as a symbol of the institutional power that has kept the masterpiece within Ghent's walls despite repeated attempts to take it.

6

Saint Bavo's Cathedral

This is the final destination: the magnificent Saint Bavo's Cathedral. Inside this Gothic masterpiece, in a high-tech, climate-controlled visitor center, the 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' finally rests. It was originally intended for the Vijd Chapel here, but its fame grew so great it required its own dedicated space. As you explore the interior, look for the empty space where the 'Just Judges' panel should be—it was stolen in 1934 and has never been found, replaced today by a faithful copy. The cathedral itself, with its Romanesque crypt and towering vaults, is the perfect sanctuary for such a legendary treasure.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best route starts at the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) in Citadelpark and heads north toward the city center, ending at Saint Bavo's Cathedral. This trail follows the history of the painting from its restoration to its historic home, covering roughly 2 kilometers.