A city is all about building, living and being connected, these are the pillars that you experience within the new story. As you walk through the halls, you see the city grow and change. You hear Ghent itself speak as its own character. You can feel the wood and stones from which Ghent is built. You discover the life that gives colour to the city. You learn how Ghent was and is connected with the Low Countries, Europe and the world. The design of the scenography is sober, transparent and leaves room to experience the historical architecture of the building; the space as important as its contents.

In airy glass showcases there’s room for the many objects that make the story tangible. For the more curious visitors, our iPad interfaces offer the possibility to view background information and details of the objects. At the centre of the halls is an interactive digital maquette, where you can see the metamorphosis of Ghent – from prehistoric settlement to the metropolis it is today – on the basis of hand-drawn maps. In animated stories you will hear Ghent’s character tell you about the events that have determined the course of the city and with a number of striking motion infographics we visualise how Ghent has related to other cities over time.

The ambition was to create an appealing set-up for a broad audience that tells how (similar) cities develop on the basis of Ghent’s history; thus unravelling the unique story of one city while drawing comparisons with your own origins as you experience the exhibition. A city is all about building, living and being connected, these are the pillars that you experience within the new story. As you walk through the halls, you see the city grow and change. You hear Ghent itself speak as its own character. You can feel the wood and stones from which Ghent is built. You discover the life that gives colour to the city. You learn how Ghent was and is connected with the Low Countries, Europe and the world. The design of the scenography is sober, transparent and leaves room to experience the historical architecture of the building; the space as important as its contents.

In airy glass showcases there’s room for the many objects that make the story tangible. For the more curious visitors, our iPad interfaces offer the possibility to view background information and details of the objects. At the centre of the halls is an interactive digital maquette, where you can see the metamorphosis of Ghent – from prehistoric settlement to the metropolis it is today – on the basis of hand-drawn maps.
In animated stories you will hear Ghent’s character tell you about the events that have determined the course of the city and with a number of striking motion infographics we visualise how Ghent has related to other cities over time.