Ghent’s Iconic Vlasmarkt Loses Cobblestones to Asphalt
One of Ghent’s most recognizable public squares, the Vlasmarkt, is set to lose its historic cobblestones this summer. The city council has decided to replace the uneven stone surface with asphalt, citing safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians who have long struggled with the deteriorating pavement. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the work will take place after the 2026 Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festivities), meaning this July’s edition will be the last time revelers dance on the cobblestones.
A Square Steeped in History
The Vlasmarkt, located between the Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat and the Sint-Jacobskerk, is one of the oldest squares in Ghent’s medieval city center. Originally a cattle market, it became a flax market from 1629 onward—giving it its current name. Archaeological evidence shows habitation on the site dating back to the late 12th century. In modern times, the square evolved into the epicenter of Ghent’s nightlife, home to iconic venues such as De Charlatan, Kinky Star, and Bar des Amis. During the annual Gentse Feesten, a 10-day city festival, the Vlasmarkt stays open the longest, with the cobblestones themselves serving as the natural dance floor.
Safety Concerns Drive the Decision
The decision to asphalt the square was announced by Schepen (Alderman) Joris Vandenbroucke of the Voor Gent party during a city council meeting. The move came in response to a question from fellow party member Sven Taeldeman, who broke both elbows in a cycling accident on the cobblestones two years prior. As reported, Vandenbroucke explained that the road surface is in “appalling condition,” with at least six bus lines crossing the square daily, causing the cobblestones to sink and deteriorate under the weight of heavy traffic. The city opted for a maintenance overlay rather than a full renovation, as a complete reconstruction would require extensive archaeological research in the medieval city center and would take years. De Lijn, the Flemish public transport company, was a requesting party for the asphalt, citing improved ride comfort for buses.
Divided Reactions from Residents
The decision has split Ghent residents into two passionate camps. On one side, heritage advocates argue that the cobblestones are an irreplaceable part of the city’s identity. Night Mayor Edmond Cocquyt reacted furiously to the plans, calling the asphalt overlay a “historical mistake” and seeking heritage protection for the cobblestones. “This isn’t a tourist zone, this is a nightlife zone,” Cocquyt told HLN. “Asphalt doesn’t belong here.” Café owners and regulars echo this sentiment, describing the cobblestones as an “auditory and tactile signature” of the square. Reader Filip Standaert wrote: “The cobblestones are the soul of this place. Don’t take that away.”
On the other side, safety concerns resonate strongly with daily users of the square. As documented in a public opinion feature, cyclists report being “shaken violently” on the cobblestones, and pedestrians—particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues—find the uneven surface dangerous, especially when wet. “My daughter fell there just last week,” wrote daily cyclist Peter Van Mullem. Another resident, Johan Van Vaerenberg, shared: “I broke my ankle on those crooked cobblestones a few years ago. They can go as far as I’m concerned.”
Broader Urban Trend
Ghent’s decision is not an isolated case. The city has been gradually replacing cobblestones with asphalt in other locations, including the Veldstraat in February 2024, where the old stones were made available for residents to purchase. Similar debates have played out in the Lange Steenstraat and Grauwpoort, where cobblestones were removed and later reinstalled—but reportedly laid poorly. This pattern reflects a broader tension across historic European cities: balancing the demands of modern mobility—cycling infrastructure, accessibility, and public transport—with the preservation of historical character.
What Lies Ahead
With the 2026 Gentse Feesten set to begin in July, this year’s festival will be the last opportunity to dance on the iconic cobblestones. After the festivities, the asphalt overlay will be laid, and from 2027 onward, the Vlasmarkt will have a completely different surface. Café owners and the Night Mayor have indicated they will continue to push for a compromise, such as preserving a small symbolic section of cobblestones as a nod to the past. Whether they succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ghent’s Vlasmarkt is about to enter a new chapter—one written not in stone, but in asphalt.