The Flemish city of Ghent came up with an innovative plan in 1995 when it created the country’s first legal graffiti alley in Werregarenstraatje.
Instead of prosecuting graffiti artists, Ghent gave them a place in the heart of the city where they could spray the walls. The street artist ROA was one of the first artists to create a work here.
The walls change every day as new artists arrive with their spray cans. The one unwritten rule is that you don’t cover up a work that is better than your own.
The city recently knocked a hole in the wall and opened a ‘Giftshop’ next to the alley. The aim is to create a cool urban spot where tourists can meet up with artists, pick up information, grab a coffee and buy an artwork. It’s open from 14.00 to 22.00.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
