Ghent, Belgium

Ghent serves as the historic capital of the East Flanders province, housing approximately 268,000 residents along the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers. During the Middle Ages, the city grew into one of Northern Europe's largest and wealthiest textile trading hubs. Key architectural landmarks include the 12th-century Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) and Saint Bavo's Cathedral, home to the famous 1432 Adoration of the Mystic Lamb altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers. Cobblestone quays along Graslei and Korenlei preserve guildhouses dating from the 12th to 17th centuries. Boat tours along the urban canals and walking paths through the pedestrianized centre showcase Flanders' rich medieval heritage.