The guild house of the 'FREE SAILORS'. This is perhaps the most beautiful house. The original house was built in 1355 but later rebuilt after it was sold to the guild of sailors in 1530. It boasts a beautiful late-gothic facade. The guild of sailors was one of the most powerful guilds because they had the privilege for ship transportation through the harbor of Ghent.
On the left side of the Spijker stands the first 'GRAIN COUNTERS HOUSE' and next to it the 'ANGEL' with its beautiful renaissance facade.
This group of houses reflects the wealth and power of the medieval guilds. Even after the decay of the Flemish trade, they were still rich enough to change their original wooden houses into splendid stone mansions. One of the few remaining wooden facades can still be seen from the bridge of the Gravensteen, the castle of the count of Flanders.