Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts was created on the basis of the church, which managed to transfer 250 works hidden from the eyes of the occupiers. The museum first opened its doors in November 1802. Three years later, all the valuables were placed in the Academy of Fine Arts. In 1818, another 60 works were recovered from the French.

From 1896 to 1902, work was carried out on the construction of a new building for the museum. The project was entrusted to one of the successful architects in Ghent. In May 1904, the Museum of Fine Arts was inaugurated in the presence of King Leopold. Soon began the difficult war years, the inhabitants of the city as best they could, saved the collection of the museum, hiding paintings in the library, town hall, monastery and cathedral. During the Second World War, the building was badly damaged, and the collection was almost completely plundered by the German military. Only by the end of the XX century it was possible to reconstruct the museum building and replenish the previous collections.

The exhibition is rich in works by Belgian authors, as well as works by representatives from various European schools. Many undoubtedly come here to see Bosch’s legendary work Christ Carrying the Cross, as well as the works of Ensor, Heckel, René Magritte, Kirchner and many others.