Belfry of Ghent

The Belfry of Ghent (Belfort) is 91 meters of pure secular defiance. Built in 1313, it was never a church tower. It was a giant stone safe used to house the city's charters and privileges behind iron doors in the "Secree" room. It stood as a middle finger to the nobility, proving Ghent's burghers answered only to themselves.

The Copper Guardian

Perched at the top is the Golden Dragon, the city's mascot since 1377. Below him sits the massive carillon. The most famous bell, Roland, was the city’s manual alarm for fires or invasions. Today, 54 bells still chime over the Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle), the medieval hub of the textile trade that made Ghent a global power.

Architectural Grit

Inside, the structure is raw stone and heavy clockwork. Climbing to the stone gallery puts you right between St. Bavo’s Cathedral and St. Nicholas’ Church. It is the only place to get a 360-degree look at the "Three Towers" skyline. No polish, just medieval engineering and the best view in East Flanders.