The procession of Emperor Charles and the noose bearers commemorates the public
humiliation of the Ghent notable citizens by Emperor Charles V in May 1540.
In Medieval times, Ghent was a prosperous city thanks to the cloth industry and
trade. That changed in the 16th century, when the city was hit by an economic
recession. During the Ghent revolt, the citizens of Ghent committed lèse-majesté
and refused to pay taxes imposed by the emperor. Emperor Charles personally came
to Ghent to resolve the matter. 25 participants in the revolt were sentenced to
death. The emperor was not satisfied with the defence put forward by the city’s
leaders and accused the city of disloyalty, sedition, mutiny and disobedience.
The city lost all its privileges and freedoms.
On 3 May 1540, the Ghent citizens were subjected to total humiliation. They were
marched through the streets from the town hall to Prinsenhof, the emperor’s
palace. The procession consisted of the aldermen, clerks and all civil servants,
30 notable citizens and the deans of guilds, barefoot and dressed in black
robes. They were followed by 318 members of smaller craftsmen guilds and 50
weavers. The procession was closed by 50 ‘creesers’ (screechers), dressed in
white robes and carrying a hangman’s noose around their necks, as a sign that
they deserved to hang. Once they had arrived at Prinsenhof, they had to beg the
emperor for mercy.
Ever since, the citizens of Ghent have been nicknamed “stroppendragers” or
“noose bearers”, as a symbol of resistance against tyranny and misplaced
authority. During the annual procession, the emperor is booed and the noose
bearers are applauded.
The Castle of the Counts – Sint-Veerleplein – Kraanlei – Zuivelbrug –
Grootkanonplein – Vrijdagmarkt – Kammerstraat – Belfortstraat – Botermarkt –
Emile Braunplein – Klein Turkije – Korenmarkt – Groentenmarkt –
Vleeshuishuisbrug – Sint-Veerleplein – The Castle of the Counts
Are you driving to Ghent? First check whether you may enter the city centre with
your vehicle. Clean vehicles may enter the city centre free of charge, polluting
vehicles have to pay. Is your vehicle allowed to enter, but do you not have a
Belgian or Dutch number plate? You will ALWAYS have to register!
150 years of tram transport in Ghent: On the track of Ghent’s tram history
Beschrijving
Since 1874, numerous trams have taken passengers from point A to point B in the city. The first trams were horse drawn and transported passengers between the railway stations Gent-Zuid and Dampoort. Obviously, a lot has changed since then. This exhibition immerses you in the history of the tram in Ghent.
Passengers and tram lines, stops, depots and tram carriages have undergone a true metamorphosis over the past 150 years. Battery-operated trams, three-axle trams and PCC trams have now become real museum pieces and the population has evolved as well. In this exhibition, you'll learn all there is to know about the Ghent tram carriages, the onboard staff as well as the (historical) tram lines and take a look behind the scenes of the tram world.
This exhibition is an initiative by Meta vzw and part of an event of the same name.
Over the weekend of 18 May, the historical centre will feature trams from the past and present. During a tram parade, you will be able to go for a ride on unique trams and get a taste of 150 years of tram history.
Are you driving to Ghent? First check whether you may enter the city centre with your vehicle. Clean vehicles may enter the city centre free of charge, polluting vehicles have to pay. Is your vehicle allowed to enter, but do you not have a Belgian or Dutch number plate? You will ALWAYS have to register!
Tickets
Accessible with a CityCard Gent
Gratis
Reduction -19 years
Gratis
Reduction -26 years
2€
Basic price
9€