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Belfort Gent
The Beffroi of Ghent, or Flemish Belfort Gent, is the civic tower and one of the three medieval bell towers in the historic center of the Flemish city of Ghent, Belgium (the other two belong to the cathedral of San Bavone and the church of San Nicola ). It measures 95 meters high and is one of the best Beffroi in Europe; a symbol of autonomy and independence of the city of Ghent. It is also part of the Belgium and France Campaniles list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Beffroi was erected in Gothic style from 1313. In 1323 four floors over six had already been raised. Between 1377 and 1380 a temporary wooden crown was added to which the legendary Draak van Gent, the Ghost Dragon, was hoisted, a treasure trove symbol. Afterwards, the wooden crowns, often wooden, were repeatedly changed; until in 1851 a neo-Gothic cast iron spire was erected. However half a century after the spire there were significant signs of degradation, so take advantage of the imminent Universal Exposition of 1913 to rebuild it. The project was presented by Valentin Vaerwyck and immediately approved and put into operation. Over the centuries he assumed different functions. Since 1402, Citizens Privileges and Civic Cards were kept in a locker room, which was guarded in the Secret Room of the Tower. However, in 1539 they were transferred to Lille, to return to the city in 1578 by the hands of the Calvinists during the fights against Philip II of Spain. But they were taken to the City Hall. Since 1633 the Beffroi was used only as the archive of the San Michele Corporation. At the same time, the structure also served as a guard tower of the city, especially inherent to the dreaded fire. Since 1442 the city guards resided in it, and along with six trumpeters, they formed the city's watchdog that secured a continuous guard over Ghana by 1869. Through bells, the bells were used until 1869. At the beginning the bells were used only in religious contexts, but more cities developed and more bells performed more diverse functions in daily life. The Bell of the Alert, also called Roland (named after the Nordic Paladin Rolando) was lifted on the beffroi in 1325, and from 1378 also played the hours. If he sounded alert, his sound was preceded by the tapping of three small bells with different tones: it was the beginning of the carillon. Over the years, Ghent's chimes were enlarged; today it has 54 bells.
Attractions in Ghent
