Stadshal

The Stadshal

The Ghent audio-guided tour presents you with the Stadshal, the city hall, an astonishing contemporary creation in the heart of the historic centre.

A contemporary hall with a wooden roof

Inaugurated in 2012, the Stadshal is the city hall of Ghent. Completely at odds with the rest of the local architecture, this building designed by Flemish designers is a veritable architectural creation: about forty metres long, the structure is distinguished by its wooden roof with an asymmetrical shape, surprising for a monument of this scale. Open and accessible from all sides, the building temporarily hosts concerts, dance shows and markets, and hides in the basement a bicycle park and a brewery. The space has not always had this vocation: initially intended for the Universal Exhibition of 1913, the original project was abandoned, and the site knew several developments before the present Stadshal.

What there is to see

The Stadshal surprises with its resolutely contemporary architecture and its large asymmetrical wooden roof, in contrast with the medieval monuments around. An open and lively place, it hosts concerts, shows and markets according to the programming. It is an original stop, which shows the modern and creative face of Ghent amid its ancient heritage.

Practical information

The Stadshal is in the heart of the historic centre of Ghent, near the three towers. Open from all sides, it can be crossed freely at all hours and on the level; concerts, shows and markets are organised there according to the programming, to be checked on site.

When was the Stadshal inaugurated?

In 2012; designed by Flemish designers, it is the city hall of Ghent.

What does the Stadshal house?

An open space for concerts, shows and markets, and in the basement a bicycle park as well as a brewery.