Early Morning Tranquil Beauty in the Citadelpark

Every time I embark on my Ghent city strolls, I pass through the Citadelpark, and almost without fail, I find myself captivated by its beauty—especially during the early morning or late evening when the interplay of light and shadows enhances the scenery. A bit of background on the Citadelpark: the park was established in 1875 on the site where the Dutch citadel of Ghent stood earlier. The citadel, one of the largest and most modern of its time in Europe and later used as an infantry and artillery barracks, remained in operation until 1870. The grounds were acquired in 1871 by the then-mayor, Charles de Kerchove de Denterghem. The park was redesigned in 1913, with buildings added to accommodate the 1913 World Expo. In 1930, the park's appearance changed again, this time in celebration of the centenary of Belgium's independence. During the park's construction, existing natural slopes and remnants of the former citadel were utilized. The park boasts 780 trees, including some rare specimens. Since 1984, the park has been a protected landscape – Citadelpark, Ghent, Belgium