Ghent's former main port as well as a major trade centre for grain, right in the middle of the city on the banks of the river of Scheldt. Koornlei stands for 'street of wheat' indicating that this was originally traded and stored there. Graslei, which is on the opposite bank, has a long row of beautiful buildings in different architectural styles that are former guildhalls and warehouses of grain traders. All these buildings were built along the canal between 1200 and 1600, and reflect the wealth and power of the city in past times.