Circus in the city: The (in)visible traces of Ghent's circus past

Ghent, the circus city

Ghent has a special bond with circus. The city used to be the place where you had to be as a circus lover. The Halfvastenfoor, the Ghent equestrian company Le Cercle Equestre, the Hippodrome 'De Drie Sleutels' and the Nieuw Circus were part of the basis of a flourishing circus life in Flanders. Not only the prestigious buildings put Ghent on the map. A lot of Ghent circus artists were also in there for something. Many famous circus directors and internationally acclaimed artists came from Ghent.

If you walk through Ghent today, you will still see some physical traces that testify to the city's vibrant circus past. Others have since disappeared, but behind the new facades, in street names or on squares there are still many stories. Discover in this city walk why Ghent is called the circus city of Flanders.

This walk is an initiative of the House of Alijn, museum of daily life. The House of Alijn preserves a large circus collection and investigates this theme. Find out more about the circus past on www.huisvanalijn.be

Would you like a physical hiking map? Pick them up for free at the museum desk (Kraanlei 65, 9000 Ghent), at the inquiry desk VisitGent (Sint-Veerleplein 5, 9000 Gent).