Yesterday was my final day in Ghent, and in Belgium. It was a nice day-First I went to the Belfry, which was the watchtower for the town. Unlike other countries in Europe, the Belfrys have nothing to do with the Church-they we're simply used as the watchtower to protect the towns. I found out that the German's built tunnels during World War 1 connecting several buildings in town, and I was one of the few to see the inside of the tunnel? Why me-because I am special-no. I simply followed a group of school kids into the tunnel (inadvertantly-I thought it was open to all). The tunnel was very small, and hard to get through-and I didn't make it through most of it-I just barely entered when a guard stopped me. But at least I saw it.
I then went to the church of St Bavo, where there is a painting called "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb", which has about 20 panels, which show, frankly, typical Biblical scenes. There are black-and-white Adam and Eve's, and in full color, angel-musicians, and a picture of a benevolent God. It was beautiful, no doubt about it, but by this time I have seen so many churchs, catherdral's, paintings, sculptures of Biblical scenes, etc , that most don't stand out. What did stand out(and why I went) is that one of the panels was evidentally stolen back in the 1930's. I wanted to see the missing spot. But I couldn't see it. A careful reproduction was put it it's place, and I couldn't even spot the omission.
I then went on a walking tour-which was quite illuminating.
