Visitors can reopen a special whodunnit that was abandoned in 2006 due to lack of evidence. The backdrop to this riveting story is Ghent’s St Peter’s Abbey, once the final resting place of the Counts of Flanders. Archaeologists, historians and biological anthropologists join forces to examine grave S127, uncovered during the construction of an underground car park.

Together with the researchers, take a deep dive into the science and try to piece together the puzzle of Judith’s life, a queen’s daughter and the first Countess of Flanders. You’ll find out all about the decisive Judith, a fascinating young woman who took her fate into her own hands and stood up to her royal father. The research will whisk you back in time, to the treasuries and intrigues of the Carolingian elite, and the maelstrom of familial wars from which the County of Flanders emerged.

For this exhibition, Historische Huizen Gent [Historical Houses of Ghent] collaborated with the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy at Ghent University (UGent), the Pirenne Institute, and the City of Ghent’s Dienst Stadsarcheologie & Monumentenzorg [Urban Archaeology & Monument Care Department].

Informations pratiques :

St. Peter’s Abbey, Ghent
From 4 October 2024 to 19 January 2025, inclusive
From Tuesday until Sunday, from 10am until 6pm.

Researchers

Prof. Dr. Steven Vanderputten (Department of History, UGent)
Dr. Stefan Meysman (Department of History, UGent)
Prof. Dr. Isabelle De Groote (Department of Archeology, UGent)
Dr. Jessica Palmer (Department of Archeology, UGent)
Geert Vermeiren (City of Ghent)
Marie-Anne Bru (City of Ghent