Ghent is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third largest in the country, exceeded in size only by Brussels and Antwerp. It is a port and university city. Much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. It houses three "béguinages", recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, numerous churches and important museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, with paintings by Hieronymus Bosch,,Peter Paul Rubens and many Flemish masters; the SMAK (City Museum for Contemporary Art), with works of the 20th century, including…