Patershol is the name given to the historical area of Ghent north east of the castle. The area is famous for the narrow winding cobbled medieval alleyways and good dining in fine boutique restaurants. It is now one of Gent's most desirable neighbourhoods.

The Carmelite monks set up an abbey and infirmary in the Patershol area. It once served as a military quarter as it was so close to the castle of the counts. Tradesmen like stonemasons, carpenters, stablemen, artists, tanners and blacksmiths that did work for the castle and its staff set up shop in Patershol.

When the castle lost its military function and became the Supreme Court of Justice and location of the Flemish council chambers. Soon Lawyers, Magistrates, Clarks and politicians started to move into Patershol. The small wooden houses were torn down and replaced by bricked houses. At the end of the eighteenth century the magistrates moved to a new location. The castle turned into a textile factory as the industrial revolution gripped the city.

When the castle lost its military function and became the Supreme Court of Justice and location of the Flemish council chambers. Soon Lawyers, Magistrates, Clarks and politicians started to move into Patershol. The small wooden houses were torn down and replaced by bricked houses. At the end of the eighteenth century the magistrates moved to a new location. The castle turned into a textile factory as the industrial revolution gripped the city.

In the 1960's renovation work started as artists and University students started to move into the area. It became a popular location because of the central location and cheap accommodation prices. This popularity evolved into desirability. Patershol is now one of the most sort after housing locations to live in. The prices have rocketed

Patershol is great place to walk around at night. It is well light and safe. It oozes atmosphere. There are several good restaurants in the Patershol quarter of Ghent. Many of the restaurants are in original medieval structures with low ceilings, small rooms illuminated by lighted candles. Check out the Klokhuys 'the Clockhouse' themed restaurant. Timepieces occupy every spare centimetre of wall, however, they all seem to display different times. This traditional if slightly strange brassiere has marble tables, tiled floors, and dried hops hang from the ceiling.

My favourite restaurant in Ghent is 'Amadeus' the place for ribs located in a road called Plotersgracht. It is in the centre of the historic Patershol. Amadeus was established in 1987, as an all you can eat spare ribs joint. The ribs are served with a side-salad and a jacket potato, with herb butter. Extra spare ribs, potatoes, salad and accompanying sauces really can be ordered without any limit, for a very reasonable fixed price. The interior of Amadeus is amazing. The room I particularly liked was decorated like a study full of bookcases. It adds to the whole dinning experience.

The menu also features a number of other grilled dishes, such as rib steak, giant brochette, mixed grill, and jumbo shrimps. They also serve the typical Ghent chicken casserole, waterzooi. A hearty stew made of chicken, carrots, leeks, potatoes, stock and cream (you can also get the fish version). Amadeus is also famous for its wine, served in litre-and-a-half bottles and sold by the centimetre, as well as for its genuine Irish coffee, served in three layers.

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