The Sad Royal History of St. Bavo's Abbey in Ghent

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Imperial Interferences 

with disastrous consequences


In Ghent, the capital of Eastern Flanders in the northern part of Belgium, there once was a beautiful Abbey called the Saint Bavo's Abbey.  However due to Imperial Interferences, this Abbey was demolished in the 16th. century. 

Luckily for us, there still are a few traces from the Saint Bavo's Abbey and it still has a wonderful royal history.

St. Bavo's Abbey and the eldest wall of Ghent


Royal history


Saint Bavo's Abbey was founded in the 7th. century by Saint Amand, who also founded the Saint Peter's Abbey in Ghent. Originally the Saint Bavo's Abbey was called Ganda, which meant "river mouth in Celtic" referring to the location of the area. 

Louis the Pious, the youngest son of Charlemagne and also King of the Franks, from 814-840 chose Einhard as abbot of the St. Bavo's Abbey. Einhard was the biographer of Charlemagne. 

In the 9th. century, the St. Bavo's Abbey was raided twice by the Vikings, the monks exiled to Laon. After an absence of nearly 50 years they came back to Ghent and re-established the abbey. 

However the buildings of the abbey were seized by Arnulf I, Count of Flanders and he preferred the St. Peter's Abbey. But under the influence of the bishop of Tournai, Count Arnulf re-founded the abbey. 

Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, saw the abbey as a strategical defense point on the Scheldt river, just on the border between the Holy Roman Empire  and West Francia of King Louis V of France. 

Under the reign of abbot Odwinus (981-998) the church of the St. Bavo's Abbey was built. It is nowadays the eldest wall of Ghent. 

During the next centuries the abbey became more powerful and important people visited the Abbey.

In 1340, John of Ghaunt the fourth son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault would have been born at the St. Bavo's Abbey. 

In 1540, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ordered the destruction of the  Abbey after the rebellion of the city of Ghent. Instead of the Abbey a castle was built. This housed a garrison from around 2.500 men. The castle was demolished in the 19th. century. 


St. Bavo's Abbey park Ghent Belgium

 A visit


Although I know Ghent already very well (I studied there once) the St. Bavo's abbey was a real surprise for me. It is not only a special royal destination full with history. It also is a beautiful green park in the middle of the city of Ghent.  To know more, check the Tourism website of the city of Ghent on this link.  



The pictures are taken by me on 19 September 2020.
Location: Gent, België

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