In the very heart of Ghent, between two majestic churches – Saint Bavo`s Cathedral and Saint Nicholas` Church – rises the 91-meter Belfry of Ghent. The Belfry of Ghent is the tallest belfry tower in Belgium and one of the three famous towers that form the unique skyline of the old city. Unlike the neighboring cathedrals, the Belfry of Ghent is not a religious structure but a civic building.
The Belfry was built with funds from the townspeople and symbolized the independence and freedom of Ghent, its wealth and commercial power. Today, the Belfry of Ghent, together with the adjacent Cloth Hall and Mammelokker buildings, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
History of the Belfry of Ghent
Beginning of Construction of the Belfry of Ghent (1313–1380)
Construction of the Belfry of Ghent began in 1313 according to the design of master mason Jan van Helst. His drawings, unique for their time, have survived to this day and are kept in the Ghent City Museum.
Construction of the Belfry took more than six decades and was only completed in 1380. This lengthy period was due not only to the grandeur of the design but also to frequent wars, plague epidemics, and political upheavals that repeatedly halted the work on the Belfry.
The Summit of the Belfry of Ghent – Changed Seven Times
Throughout its long history, the Belfry of Ghent changed its summit seven times. In 1684, local architect Lieven Cruyl proposed a Baroque spire project for the Belfry of Ghent, but it was never realized. In 1771, the Belfry of Ghent was crowned with a spire designed by Louis `t Kindt. In 1851, a Neo-Gothic cast-iron spire appeared on the Belfry of Ghent, which was dismantled in 1911–1913 and replaced with the current stone one, inspired by the original 14th-century design.
The Golden Dragon on the Spire of the Belfry of Ghent
At the end of the 14th century, as the construction of the Belfry of Ghent was nearing completion, a gilded copper dragon, brought from Bruges, appeared on its summit. This weather vane, which became one of Ghent`s symbols, was meant to guard the Belfry and the city privileges stored within it. The original dragon can now be seen inside the Belfry, while its copy still crowns the spire of the Belfry of Ghent.
The Role of the Belfry of Ghent in Medieval Ghent
Guardian of Civic Liberties
The Belfry of Ghent was more than just a clock tower. Within its walls, in a special secret room, the Charters of Civic Privileges were kept – documents that enshrined the rights and freedoms of citizens. This gave the Belfry special significance as a symbol of Ghent`s autonomy and independence. The loss of these documents would have meant the loss of freedom, so the Belfry of Ghent served as their secure repository and simultaneously as a fortified watchtower.
The Roland Bell – The Voice of the City
The main bell of the Belfry of Ghent was Roland, installed in 1325. Its powerful voice regulated all aspects of life in the medieval city: it announced sunrise and sunset, the beginning and end of the workday, and the opening of markets. Roland also warned citizens of fires, enemy attacks, and victories.
In 1378, Roland began to be used as a chiming bell on the Belfry. The strikes were preceded by warning signals on three small bells of different tones – this was the precursor to the modern carillon. When Emperor Charles V suppressed the Ghent Revolt, he ordered Roland to be removed from the Belfry of Ghent – a symbolic punishment for the city that had lost its "voice."
The Legendary Bell in Poetry
The famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow mentioned Roland in his poem "The Belfry of Bruges." Today, the bell remains the main character of Ghent`s city anthem, in which it calls on citizens to defend their land.
The Carillon – The Musical Heart of the Belfry of Ghent
In the 17th century, the famous bell founders Pieter and François Hemony created a carillon for the Belfry of Ghent, which was expanded over time. After the 1982 restoration, the carillon of the Belfry of Ghent had 53 bells, and in 1993, the "Robert" bell with its pure sound was added. The total weight of the bells in the Belfry is about 30 tons. Today, the carillon of the Belfry of Ghent regularly sounds over the city, creating the unique atmosphere of a medieval town.
Cloth Hall and Mammelokker – Adjacent to the Belfry of Ghent
Adjacent to the Belfry is the rectangular Cloth Hall building, whose construction began in 1425 and lasted 20 years. Here, woolen fabrics were officially measured and their quality checked, and trade deals were concluded – it was cloth that made Ghent wealthy in the Middle Ages. Later, the militia guild and a fencing school were housed here. In 1903, the building was expanded by adding four missing bays according to the original plan.
The small annex, Mammelokker, dating from 1741, served as the entrance and guardroom for the city prison, which was located in part of the Cloth Hall from 1742 to 1902. The Mammelokker stands at the foot of the Belfry of Ghent and is an integral part of the UNESCO-listed complex.
The name "Mammelokker" translates as "breast sucker" and is associated with the sculpture adorning the facade. It depicts the legend of Roman Charity – the story of a prisoner named Cimon who was sentenced to death by starvation. His daughter Pero, a wet nurse, secretly breastfed her father during visits. Her selflessness impressed the guards, and the father was released.
What Can Be Seen in the Belfry of Ghent Today
Ascending
A lift is available for visitors to the Belfry of Ghent, taking them up most of the height, but the final sections to the viewing platform must be climbed via a narrow spiral staircase. It is worth the effort: from a height of 91 meters, the Belfry of Ghent offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the city.
Viewing Platform
The summit of the Belfry of Ghent offers the best view of the city`s three famous towers, with Saint Bavo`s Cathedral and Saint Nicholas` Church being particularly impressive. From the viewing platform of the Belfry, you can see how the medieval streets, canals, and red-tiled roofs come together into a single picturesque ensemble.
Museum Rooms
Along the way up the Belfry of Ghent, you will pass through several museum rooms, where the following are on display:
• Four stone statues of guards (mid-14th century), which originally protected the corners of the Belfry of Ghent and were moved inside after 1870.
• The original golden dragon – the very weather vane that crowned the Belfry of Ghent in the Middle Ages.
• A collection of bells from the Belfry of Ghent, with information on their weight, year of creation, and the names of their makers.
• An ancient clock mechanism – a working device that once powered the clock of the Belfry of Ghent, demonstrating the engineering skill of past centuries.
• The historic carillon drum – a 19th-century mechanism with numerous pins and cables that automated the striking of the bells in the Belfry of Ghent.
• In some rooms, you can watch informative videos about the history of the Belfry of Ghent.
The Secret Room of the Belfry of Ghent
Of particular interest is the secret chamber within the Belfry, where the Charters of Civic Privileges – the documents symbolizing Ghent`s independence – were once kept. This was the most guarded part of the Belfry.
Practical Information for Visiting the Belfry of Ghent
Opening Hours
The Belfry of Ghent is open daily, usually from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets are sold until 5:30 PM. It is advisable to check the current schedule before visiting the Belfry of Ghent, as opening hours may vary by season.
Ticket Prices
• Adult ticket: approximately 11–13 euros.
• Children under 12: free entry to the Belfry of Ghent.
• Students and seniors: discounts apply.
• If you plan to visit several museums in Ghent, it is worthwhile to purchase the CityCard Gent – in this case, entry to the Belfry of Ghent is free.
Useful Tips for Visiting the Belfry of Ghent
• Lift: use the lift to ascend the Belfry of Ghent, and walk down to explore the museum rooms.
• Queues: during high season, queues for the Belfry of Ghent are possible, especially in the afternoon. Purchase tickets in advance if possible.
• Photography: the viewing platform of the Belfry of Ghent offers excellent photo opportunities with no protective mesh, allowing for unobstructed shots.
Interesting Facts
• The Tallest in Belgium. The Belfry of Ghent is the tallest belfry tower in Belgium, standing 91 meters high.
• Seven Summits. Throughout its history, the Belfry of Ghent changed its summit seven times – from a Gothic spire to a cast-iron Neo-Gothic structure.
• Dragon from Bruges. The golden dragon crowning the Belfry of Ghent was brought from Bruges at the end of the 14th century.
• Prisoner in a Cupboard. In 1949, students from Ghent University seized the Belfry of Ghent in protest against a beer tax – and locked the guard in a cupboard.
• UNESCO World Heritage. The Belfry of Ghent, together with the adjacent Cloth Hall and Mammelokker, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Belfries of Belgium and France" site.
If you want to see Ghent as it is captured on postcards and in films, you need to climb the Belfry of Ghent. The Belfry of Ghent is the best viewing platform in the city – from here, the three famous towers of Ghent appear in the perfect frame, the canals glisten in the sun, and the medieval streets form an elegant mosaic.
