Citadelpark

Citadelpark is the oldest and largest park in Ghent, spread across a hilltop between the Scheldt and Lys rivers. It takes its name from the large citadel built here in the 1820s by the authorities of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, part of the so-called Wellington Barrier — a chain of fortresses meant to guard against renewed French aggression after Napoleon's fall. Considered one of the largest and most modern strongholds in Europe at the time, the citadel gained strategic importance during the Belgian Revolution of 1830 and later served as an infantry and artillery barracks until 1870.

How did a military fort become a city park?

Once the citadel lost its military purpose, the city repurposed the site for public use. The park in its current form was laid out in 1875, built directly over the remnants of the old fortifications. A major redevelopment followed at the start of the 20th century, when pavilions were constructed for the 1913 Universal Exposition. The layout changed again in 1930 to mark the centenary of Belgian independence. A very different chapter arrived in 1938, when a bunker was built in anticipation of the Second World War — though it was still unfinished by the time Germany invaded the country.

What can visitors see in the park today?

The northern section of Citadelpark is defined by an elaborate wrought-iron music kiosk set on an octagonal stone base, designed in 1885 under Ghent city architect Charles Van Rysselberghe. Beyond the kiosk, the park offers fountains, flowerbeds, an artificial cave, a playground, and the large prewar bunker, a physical reminder of the city's defensive plans on the eve of the Second World War. At the park's edge sit the university's Botanical Garden and the Ledeganck campus.

Which museums are located in Citadelpark?

Citadelpark hosts two major cultural institutions. SMAK, the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art, occupies a 1930s building and has held one of Belgium's largest contemporary art collections since opening in 1999, combining a permanent collection with a rotating program of temporary exhibitions. Right next door stands the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK), making this corner of the park a genuine cultural hub for the city.

Why is Citadelpark worth visiting?

The park layers military history, early-20th-century exposition architecture, and present-day recreation into a single green space that functions as one of Ghent's main urban lungs. Visitors can walk shaded paths beneath mature trees, relax by the water, step into either art museum, or simply sit near the music kiosk that has anchored the park's identity for well over a century. That link between the city's fortified past and its contemporary cultural life is what makes Citadelpark one of Ghent's essential stops.

Frequently asked questions

What originally stood on the site of the park? A citadel — a military fortress built between 1819 and 1831 by the authorities of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, used as a barracks until 1870.

When was the park itself created? In 1875, on the grounds of the former fortifications.

Which museums are located in Citadelpark? SMAK (Museum of Contemporary Art) and MSK (Museum of Fine Arts), standing next to each other within the park.

What else can be found in the park besides the museums? The historic 1885 music kiosk, fountains, an artificial cave, a playground, and a bunker built in 1938.