Ghent, located northwest of Brussels on a group of islands, is the capital of the province of East Flanders. It was once one of the most important commercial centres in Europe. Ghent’s wealth came from the textile, or cloth, trade. Today, this city of about 225,000 people is a major port with steel and chemical factories as well as textile mills.

Ghent is filled with stunning old buildings. Its history goes back to abbeys near the present site of the city. Like Antwerp, Ghent’s churches contain masterpieces of Flemish art. The castle of the counts of Flanders was built in the twelfth century.