Saint Nicholas' Church, with its distinctive Scheldt Gothic style, stands as a testament to Ghent's medieval past. Constructed in the early 13th century, it replaced an earlier Romanesque church and was built using blue-gray stone from Tournai. Its central tower, once an observation post with town bells, contributes to Ghent's iconic skyline alongside the belfry and Saint Bavo Cathedral. The church's rich history is intertwined with the city's trade heritage, reflected in the guild chapels added in the 14th and 15th centuries.