Travel through the crypt and experience the eventful history

In the crypt of the cathedral you will travel deep into the past with the help of an Augmented Reality device - you can choose between glasses or a tablet - and experience the eventful history of the Ghent Altarpiece as if you were there yourself.As a highlight of the tour you will have a face to face encounter with the one and only Ghent Altarpiece.

The AR tour is available in 9 languages (nl, fr, en, de, it, esp, ru, ja, pt) . Based on your own knowledge of the Ghent Altarpiece and St.-Bavo’s Catedral you can choose between the ‘standard’, ‘master of detail’ or the ‘family’ tour. Tours of 40 or 60 minutes are available. In the 60 minutes tour visitors get to see four additional scenes in AR.

What is augmented reality?

AR is a technology that makes it possible to add a virtual 3D holographic layer on the real world around you using Augmented Reality glasses on a tablet. In short, extra 3D figures appear in your physical world that merge with the real environment, when you look through the AR glasses or a tablet. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), AR still sees the real world.

As the highlight of the tour you come face to face with the Ghent Altarpiece.

As the highlight of the tour you come face to face with the Ghent Altarpiece.
As the highlight of the tour you come face to face with the Ghent Altarpiece.
As the highlight of the tour you come face to face with the Ghent Altarpiece.
As the highlight of the tour you come face to face with the Ghent Altarpiece.

Type of tours

Based on your own knowledge about the Ghent Altarpiece and the cathedral, you can opt for the “standard” or “master of detail” tour. An adapted “family” tour is provided for children and families. There is a short (40 minutes) and a long version (60 min). The tours are available in nine languages.

Standard

40 or 60 minutes

Standard
  • Augmented Reality Tour + Visit Ghent Altarpiece
  • Choice between 40 and 60 minutes
  • For those interested
  • The ideal introduction!
40 min 60 min

Kids

40 minutes

Kids
  • Augmented Reality Tour + Visit Ghent Altarpiece
  • 40 minutes
  • For the whole family (from 6 years old)
  • With extra AR additions!
40 min 60 min

Master of detail

40 or 60 minutes

Master of detail
  • Augmented Reality Tour + Visit Ghent Altarpiece
  • Choice between 40 or 60 minutes
  • For the experts
  • With extra facts!
40 min 60 min

Ghent Altarpiece Only

Ghent Altarpiece Only
  • Visit the Ghent Altarpiece
25 min

Discover
the different scenes

1/8

Introduction and building history of the cathedral

Welcome by Bishop Antonius Triest. He will show you the building evolution of the cathedral over the centuries.

Discover
the different scenes

2/8

Ghent anno 1430

Get to know Joos Vijd and Elisabeth Borluut, clients for the Ghent Altarpiece and observe the work on their chapel, the Vijd Chapel.

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the different scenes

3/8

In the studio of van Eyck

Jan van Eyck lets you take a look inside his studio.

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the different scenes

4/8

Iconography of the Ghent Altarpiece

More than a hundred characters are depicted on the different panels of the Ghent Altarpiece. Who are they and what do they tell us?

Discover
the different scenes

5/8

Zoom in on the Ghent Altarpiece

Van Eyck's genius becomes completely clear when you look at the details.

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the different scenes

6/8

History of the Ghent Altarpiece: from the iconoclasm to the French Revolution

In 1566 it was only at the last minute that it was possible to hide the Ghent Altarpiece from the Iconoclasts.

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the different scenes

7/8

History of the Ghent Altarpiece: the move to Germany

The panels of the Mystic Lamb were taken apart, sold and even sawn in half!

Discover
the different scenes

8/8

History of the Ghent Altarpiece: World War II and the recent restoration campaign

The rescue of the Mystic Lamb by the Monuments Men and the restored head of the lamb that would astonish the world.

Discover the
Ghent Altarpiece

Prices and information?
Buy your tickets here

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