At the St. Baafs (Bavo's) Plein or square stands the Cathedral of St. Baaf (Bavo). It has its origin in a chapel founded
in 942 and dedicated to St. John the Baptist, the oldest patron saint of the trading city.

In 1274, the wealthy lace traders of the Middle Ages built a church over this chapel which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
In 1462, the first stone was laid of the towers that were completed in 1569. The emperor Charles was baptised in this still unfinished church.
In 1550, he granted it a sum of money in order to provide the church with arched windows filled with stained glass.