The New Circus

The New Circus

In the past, the cotton factory Vandekerkhove stood on the site of the New Circus. After a devastating fire in 1878, architect Emile De Weerdt was commissioned by the Cercle Equestre in 1893 to build a circus there. Their old circus, 'De Drie Sleutels', no longer met their requirements. The New Circus was called the Winter Circus because performances could also take place in the winter.

The New Circus became a complex structure with an impressive domed roof and had three entrances: on Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat, Lammerstraat, and Platteberg. The significant height difference between Lammerstraat and Platteberg resulted in a unique construction with various cellars and corridors. You could reach the circus ring via different slopes.

After a fire in 1920, only part of the outer walls remained standing. The circus was rebuilt in concrete, preserving the sixteen-sided shape. With this new construction, Ghent did justice to its reputation as a circus city. The electricity, ventilation, heating, and sound management were very innovative for that time.

After World War I, the Winter Circus was also used for film, variety shows, and other performances. During World War II, the building fell into disrepair. In 1944, Circus De Jonghe performed its last show there. From 1954 to 1978, the building served as garage Mahy, and in 1978 it became a storage and restoration place for vintage cars. In 2005, the city's development company Sogent purchased the building. In 2012, work began on the neighboring Waalse Krook, where the new city library, the Krook, found its place. The New Circus or Winter Circus is a new meeting place in the city with offices, catering, and a concert hall.

Huis van Alijn