Flanders Invests 2 Million Euros in Ghent Church Restorations

Flanders is allocating nearly 2 million euros to preserve two significant historical churches in Ghent, Belgium. The investment, totaling approximately 1.94 million euros, will fund critical restoration efforts for both the Sint-Jacobskerk and the Sint-Niklaaskerk.

In the Sint-Jacobskerk, the primary focus will be on addressing extensive water damage caused by a deteriorating roof. Project manager Ignace Roelens highlighted the poor condition of the current asbestos-laden slates, which will be replaced with new natural slates. The restoration work is slated to commence in the spring of 2027 and is projected to take around two years to complete. This church has a history of damage; in 1996, a hot air balloon collided with its tower, necessitating the removal and subsequent reinstallation of a 10-meter-long, 1-ton cross.

The remaining portion of the investment is dedicated to the comprehensive restoration of the historic 19th-century organ in the Sint-Niklaaskerk. This instrument has been silent for 60 years, with Flemish Minister of Immovable Heritage Ben Weyts humorously noting its current state sounds like "thunder over the Korenmarkt." The timeline for this restoration project is yet to be announced.