In the second half of the 19th century, Ghent grew strongly: the number of companies increased from 1,500 to 5,000 and the population doubled to 200,000 inhabitants. From Gent-Sint-Pieters station, we walk through the district, the Citadel Park and the University District to the Sint-Niklaas Church.

The urban expansion and redevelopment were led by engineer Emiel Braun and three liberal mayors, who allowed the university to flourish and give Ghent its current form. In art and architecture, Romanticism, Symbolism and Ghent Art Nouveau respond to industrialisation, with examples along the route.