Dear Friend of Flanders,

Flanders and Brussels are ready, willing and able to welcome visitors. As you would expect, some additional measures are currently in place, in order to ensure the safety of everyone. 

If you are travelling to Flanders, Brussels or elsewhere in Belgium for a duration of 48 hours or more, you will need to complete a Passenger Locator Form, within the 48 hours before your arrival in Belgium. 

Wearing of a mask is compulsory for anyone over the age of 12 in confined public spaces, including shops, museums, theatres, on public transport, when moving about in restaurants, and in streets and other public areas in some cities; it is therefore recommended to carry a mask with you at all times. People are expected to keep a social distance of 1.5m (5ft). 

Most visitor attractions, bars, restaurants and cafés are now open, with extra safety measures. Some museums/galleries are only accepting visitors with advance reservations, therefore please check in advance the measures in place at specific places you plan to visit. It is strongly recommended to make reservations for restaurants. 

Look up more detailed information regarding the safety measures in place across Belgium.

We hope to welcome you soon, with twice the heart, love and hospitality. As ever, you are most welcome! 

Warm regards,
VISITFLANDERS.

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The restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb - Jan Van Eyck - ©Lucasweb.be, http://www.lukasweb.be/en/photo/the-ghent-altarpiece-open-152

Jan van Eyck’s most famous creation is the Ghent Altarpiece ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’, made for Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. Since its first viewing in 1432, the magnificent altarpiece is considered one of the world’s finest art treasures. Unfortunately, it has been the victim of thirteen crimes and seven thefts since its installation. The last piece panel is still missing, but the search is still on.

Since October 2012, Bart Devolder has coordinated the restoration project at the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage. It is estimated that the restoration will be complete and put back in its original place on display in Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in 2020. Until then, you can visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) in Ghent where the altarpiece is being restored. You’ll gain an excellent insight into the restoration work.

An exhibition on the work’s rich history, spanning almost six centuries, can be viewed at Ghent’s Caermersklooster (an old convent) for the duration of the restoration period. The exhibition is called ‘The Ghent Altarpiece Revealed’. It will be supplemented with temporary exhibits focusing on specific themes, such as the origin of the wooden panels and the iconography of the work.
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