English version

Music Centre De Bijloke Ghent

Located in the heart of Ghent, within walking distance from the historic centre, De Bijloke Music Centre is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary venues of the city. After years of conversions and alterations, the unique infrastructure has been developed into a genuine and authentic music centre with four astonishing concert halls and brand new hospitality services.

De Bijloke Music Centre is a dynamic music centre where international artists from all over the world meet with the public. De Bijloke concert season hosts more than 100 concerts from ancient music to symphonic, from classical western and eastern music to jazz. Discover our program here

The Concert Hall

This gigantic medieval hospital goes all the way back to the 13th century when Ghent was one of the biggest cities of Europe. This impressive medieval infirmary was transformed into a contemporary concert hall at the end of the 20th century.

Eye catcher of this historic hall is the spectacular oaken ceiling. This impressive feature of the hospital is renowned worldwide as an extraordinary example of medieval craftsmanship. The conversion of this monument into a modern concert hall was executed with the utmost respect for the historic infrastructure.

Attending a concert in this amazing hall is a unique experience.

Het Kraakhuis

Het Kraakhuis was built at the end of the 15th century as a small hospital. The origin of the name has caused some dispute among historians.

Some historians claim that the name ‘craeckhuys’ comes from the Old Dutch verb ‘craecken’. This means to break down or to die. Therefore, these historians conclude that this venue was a mortuary.
Other historians are convinced that the name is derived from the German word ‘Krankenhaus’ = hospital. They state that it was built for the rich people of Ghent so they would get better medical attention and wouldn’t have to make contact with the poor people in the big hall.

The site

The Bijloke site is an oasis of greenery close to the city centre of Ghent. For a long time its main activity was caring for the sick, but now it will be a superb haven for culture on the banks of the River Leie.
Caring for the sick was the main activity on the Bijloke site for seven centuries. This all changed a quarter of a century ago when it lost its role as a hospital and Ghent Polytechnic decided to house its main administrative offices, the Academy (Art) Department and part of the Conservatory (Music) Department in this former Civilian Hospital. On the initiative of Ghent City Council, they were followed by numerous other cultural activities and organisations: the Musiccenter Bijloke, Kunstwerk(t), IBK (Initiatief Beeldende Kunst/ Visual Arts Initiative), IAK (Initiatief Audiovisuele Kunst / Audiovisual Arts Initiative), the Flemish Community Belgian Mediadesk, Circusvlo, Gent Cultuurstad ( Ghent Heritage Unit), Flanders OperaStudio and VLAMO (Flemish amateur music organisation). This process will be completed in 2010 when a number of building projects are finished. By that time the STAM and the accommodation for Het Muziek Lod and Les Ballets C. de la B. will be operational. The re-laying of the inner area will create a linking element between the various activities.

Business

All venues of De Bijloke Music Centre can be used to host exclusive corporate events like private concerts, seminars, conventions, award shows, presentations, product launches and conferences. Send your request to info@debijloke.be.

Ticket office

Jozef Kluyskensstraat 2, 9000 Gent
Thu – Fri 10 am – 12 am & 13 pm – 17 pm
Sa 13 am – 17 am
Closed on Monday, Sunday and holidays, 10th July – 10th August 2009, 21st December 2009 – 4th January 2010
T 09/269 92 92
E tickets@debijloke.be
Online, click here

The day of the concert the ticket office opens one hour before the concert.

Contact

Music Centre De Bijloke Ghent

Public: Jozef Kluyskensstraat 2, 9000 Gent
Mail: Bijlokekaai 7, 9000 Gent

How to get to Ghent and the Bijloke

By car

Ghent is located on the intersection of two major European motorways: the E17 connects Northern Europe to the South, and the E40 runs from the North Sea right across to Eastern Europe. From the E17 you take the ‘Gent Centrum’ turnoff. On the E40, from the motorway intersection in Zwijnaarde you first follow ‘Antwerpen’ (E17)and then take the ‘Gent Centrum’ turnoff. Keep right and follow “andere richtingen”. Once you have come down, turn left at the traffic lights, under the bridge. Now you are on the beltway around Ghent. Follow it into the direction of Eeklo. Turn right at the fourth traffic lights. Keep continuing and you will see the Bijlokesite at your right. There is plenty of parking space in the immediate vicinity.
Plan

By train

Ghent is easy to reach by train from all Belgian and European cities and is only half an hour from Brussels South Station (by ‘IC’ Inter City or ‘IR’ InterRegio train). The main station in Ghent is Gent-Sint-Pieters Station, about 15 minutes’ walk from the Bijlokesite.

Tram and bus

From Gent-Sint-Pieters Station : tram 1 (stop Charles De Kerckhovelaan), trams 21 and 22 (stop Bijlokehof), tram 4 (stop Bijlokehof) and bus 6 (stop Jozef Kluyskensstraat). You can request a free network map at the Lijnwinkel, located at the main bus terminals: near Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station and at Gent-Zuid (Ghent South). This network map is also available at the information desk in the Tourist Centre.

* One ticket : 1.20 euro
* Daypass : 5 euro
* 3 days-pass : 10 euro
* 5 days-pass : 15 euro

Concert hall Miry Conservatorium Ghent

Hoogpoort 64, 9000 Gent

By car: A detailed description you can find here
By tram: at the railway station Gent Sint-Pieters you take tram 1 (stop at ‘Korenmarkt’) or tram 21 of 22 (stop at ‘Gent Vogelmarkt’).

T 09/233 68 78
E info@debijloke.be