Royal Opera

Ghent Opera (Opera Gent, also referred to as the Royal Opera) is a historic opera house in the heart of Ghent, Belgium, and one of the two homes of the Flemish Opera (Opera Ballet Vlaanderen), alongside its sister venue in Antwerp.

Why was it built?

The building went up between 1837 and 1840, commissioned by wealthy Ghent industrialists who wanted the city to have a grand theatre matching the region's growing prosperity. It was constructed on the site of the demolished Sint-Sebastiaanschouwburg, formerly the theatre of the local archers' guild. The venue was originally known as the "Grand Théâtre."

Who designed it?

The architect behind the project was Louis Roelandt (1786–1864), who served as Ghent's city architect from 1818 onward and is regarded as one of the key figures in the development of Neo-Classical and Neo-Renaissance architecture in Belgium. Besides the opera house, Roelandt also designed the nearby law courts and the La Concorde ballroom on Kouter square, both among his most significant works in the city.

What does the interior look like?

The building is Neo-Classical in style with eclectic touches. Inside, three connected halls — the foyer, the Redoute Hall and the Lully Hall — form an impressive enfilade roughly 90 metres long. At its centre sits a horseshoe-shaped auditorium, built in the tradition of French theatres of the early 19th century and equipped with technical facilities that were advanced for their time. The building has largely retained its original, historic character.

What happens there today?

The venue is one of two stages of the Flemish Opera (Vlaamse Opera / Opera Ballet Vlaanderen), together with its counterpart in Antwerp. It hosts opera productions, ballet performances and concerts, drawing audiences from Belgium and abroad.

What about the renovation?

The building is set for a major overhaul: a roughly €70 million project will restore Roelandt's 19th-century structure and expand the complex to include a neighbouring former post office building. As a result, the Ghent Opera House is scheduled to close from January 2026, with reopening planned around 2030.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same Royal Opera as the one in London? No. Several different institutions around the world share the name "Royal Opera." Alongside the one in Ghent, the best-known is the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden, home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet — an entirely separate, unrelated venue.

Where exactly is the building located? In the centre of Ghent, in the East Flanders region of Belgium.

When was the building constructed? It was built between 1837 and 1840 to a design by architect Louis Roelandt.

Can visitors currently attend performances or tours? Until the scheduled renovation begins (from January 2026), the venue operated as an active opera and ballet stage; during the restoration works it will remain closed to the public until the planned reopening.