Dear quay

De Lievekaai is today one of the more romantic spots in the city.

The Lievekaai used to be the turning basin where boats could turn around. A crane was also installed here. The loading and unloading of cargo was done with the help of a treadwheel. To get that wheel moving, resort was made to the "crane children". For the good running of things: these were not children, but short-statured workers who had to keep the treadwheel turning by walking. The crane remained there until the 18th century. The Lievekom had lost importance since the 16th century because the Lieve had fallen into disuse due to the siltation of the Zwin. A century or two later, it was decided to fill the basin. But once there was an important port here. And everything that came with that could be found here: pubs, breweries, and stews.

Stews were public baths that were located pretty much everywhere in medieval Ghent. They were often mentioned in the same breath as brothels.

Vizit