As one of the ‘Belfries of Belgium and France’, the Belfry of Ghent is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage site. The 300 feet (91 meters) high bell tower was completed in the 14th century. It’s the middle one of the Three Towers of Ghent, located in between the St. Nicholas Church and the St. Bavo Cathedral. The Ghent Belfry is one of the most important landmarks of the city, one that has witnessed centuries of Ghent history. This monument is also steeped in symbolism. Let’s briefly explore its history before taking a tour of the Ghent Belfry.
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Traveling to Belgium? Then why not combine your visit to Ghent with a day trip to Brussels or a sightseeing tour of Bruges? Belgium is a compact country, allowing you to visit different cities in just a short amount of time.
And if you happen to travel to Ghent in late November or December, then you could also soak in the atmosphere of the Ghent Christmas market and maybe even take a sightseeing trip to the Brussels Christmas market and the Bruges Christmas market as well.
The fire-breathing dragon
A dragon statue tops the Belfry of Ghent ever since 1377. It wasn’t just the fierce mascot who watched over the city but also the guard of the city privileges which were kept in a chest at the Belfry for over a century.
It’s a centuries-old tradition that, for special celebrations, the dragon breaths fire. Examples are the baptism of the soon-to-be Emperor Charles V in the year 1500 and the visit of William, the Prince of Orange to Ghent. For 10 days last year, in 2018, the dragon set the sky on fire once again to celebrate the 175th edition of the Ghent Festival. We consider ourselves lucky to having witnessed this unique event.
The bell named Roland
Before the Belfry of Ghent was finished, the St. Nicholas Church was the city’s watch tower. In 1442, the Ghent Belfry took over this important function. When a fire was detected by one of the watchmen or when an enemy approached, the alarm bell alerted the citizens. That bell was named Roland (Klokke Roeland in Flemish). Soon the bell also chimed on set times in order to regulate city life.
In the 17th century, Roland was melted and turned into a carillon. The largest bell, the Great Triumphant, was named Roland after the first alarm bell. Unfortunately, shortly after the carillon’s electrification in 1914, Roland cracked under the pressure and had to be replaced by a new bell. But Roland was saved and is on display at the Emile Braunplein, next to the Belfry of Ghent. Maybe one day, Klokke Roeland will be placed in the Belfry again as part of the carillon.
The Cloth Hall
The Cloth Hall, a marketplace for the wool and cloth trade, was built onto the Ghent Belfry. Construction works started in the 15th century but weren’t fully realized. It wasn’t until 1903 that the original plan for the The Cloth Hall was resurfaced and the construction executed as originally intended.
Visiting the Belfry of Ghent
On the ground floor, you can learn more about the Belfry’s history and the tale of the dragon. And then it’s time to make your way up. Climbing the 366 steps of the Belfry of Ghent is one of the top things to do in Ghent. (There’s an elevator on the 2nd floor in case you need it). You’ll be passing some small museums on the middle floors where you can learn more about the history of this landmark.
At the top floor, take a minute to watch the mechanical clockwork in action before you step out to enjoy the incredible views from the top. When you visit in winter, then we’d suggest doing so right before sunset. Or better yet, visit right after sunset during the Ghent Christmas market to see the city under its twinkling Christmas blanket.
Don’t forget to look up to the clock of the Ghent Belfry.
You can check the opening times of the Ghent Belfry here. Tickets can be bought on site.
After you’ve taken your photos from the top, it’s time to photograph this Ghent monument from the outside. For that postcard view of the Three Towers of Ghent, head to St Michaels bridge.
Looking forward to learning more about the gorgeous Ghent city centre and its many attractions? Check out our detailed guide on the Ghent must-sees for more inspiration as well as our best recommendations on hotels and restaurants.
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Affiliate links are sprinkled throughout the site content. Clicking on such a hyperlink and booking on the accommodation platform it refers to, may result in a commission for CosmopoliClan at no additional cost to you. As Amazon Associates, we also earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit the Disclaimer page.
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