In the city of Ghent, Flanders Region of northwestern Belgium

 "... Belgium has placed against the background of her landscape the memories of her past: the belfries recalling her struggles; the churches, the spirit of her faith; the castles, the sentinels of her splendor." – Dore Ogrizek

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(in the Flanders Region of northwestern Belgium) The city of Ghent is found at the junction of the Lys (Leie) and Scheldt (Schelde) rivers. Despite being one of Belgium's oldest cities, it remains small enough to feel cozy but big enough to be a vibrant, relevant center for trade and culture. An important port, Ghent's city center is a pedestrian area that is a museum to early Flemish architecture, and a testament to the city's medieval might. Impressive Gothic sites, such as St. Bavo's Cathedral and the Castle of the Counts, inspire awe. The works of Flemish masters are housed in the Museum voor Schone Kunst. One of the chief towns of the medieval county of Flanders, Ghent owes its origin to economic developments that occurred in Flanders in the 10th century, after which it grew rapidly and by the 13th century had become one of the largest towns in northern Europe. Ghent is still well known for its large public squares and marketplaces, chief among which is the Vrijdagmarkt (“Friday Market”), the center of the life of the medieval city.