On Thursday, November 18, 2010, the Archon conference participants visited the historic city of Ghent.

The city is protected by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization. The World Heritage List includes 911 properties which form part of the world’s cultural and natural heritage and which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value. These include 704 cultural, 180 natural and 27 mixed properties in 151 states parties.

In the Middle Ages, Ghent became the second largest city of Europe, after Paris, thanks to the luxury woolen cloths. Its medieval cultural heritage is quite important. Participants visited the Orthodox church and also main buildings and squares of the city, including the beautiful façades along the ‘Graslei’ and ‘Korenlei’, the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Mystic lamb painting, the Belfry, the Town Hall, the ‘Butcher’s Hall’, the Castle of the Earls, the bridges and the quaint streets. (Photos by J. Mindala)