Ghent

Cathedral St. Bavo

The Altar of the Adoration of the Lamb, 1432

St. Bavo is the Cathedral of Ghent. Its treasure is the large (340x440 cm) van Eyck polyptych shown below.

The altar is considered the first large oil painting and a cornerstone of the Northern Renaissance. We were lucky to see the altar in 2001 before the recent restoration process was started

 Since January 2012 exists a fabulously detailed Internet Reproduction of the altar which you must see!
The project was supported by a Getty Foundation grant. The final report is also worth reading.

Hubert and Jan van Eyck, Altar of the Adoration of the Lamb, 1432

 Jan van Eyck's revolutionary painting-style is best seen in Adam and Eve in the upper wings - the only panels in their original state

A second triptych in St. Bavo is not as revolutionary as the Jan van Eyck, but for me at least even more beautiful. (2001)
It was painted by my favorite Flemish painter Hugo von der Goes.

Hugo van der Goes, Calvary Triptych, 1568