Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market), Ghent

The Old Fish Market (Oude Vismijn) is one of the oldest and most historically significant marketplaces in Ghent. Originally located on the site of today's Vegetable Market Square (Groentenmarkt), the market moved in 1689 to its current location on Sint-Veerleplein, where it was marked by the construction of a distinctive Baroque-style gatehouse and permanent open-air stables.

The gatehouse, also built in 1689, is notable for its charming Baroque architecture and was originally adorned with statues of three sea gods. However, a fire in 1872 damaged these statues, and only the statue of Neptune, which sits atop the gatehouse façade, survived. The other two statues were replaced with figures representing the rivers Scheldt and Leie.

As part of the reconstruction efforts following the fire, a covered market hall was added to accommodate meat and vegetable trading, while the open square outside continued to serve the fish trade. In preparation for the 1913 World's Fair, the building received Neo-Gothic facades, adding to its architectural significance.

Throughout the 20th century, the Old Fish Market underwent various functional changes, serving as a tire center and a bowling hall at different times. Following a period of vacancy, the city administration launched a competition to repurpose the building, leading to its redevelopment as a catering business in 2010. Since March 2012, the Old Fish Market has served as the home of the Ghent Tourism Office, blending its rich historical legacy with modern utility.