Belfry of Ghent

Concise history:

The first account for the construction of Ghent’s Belfry dates back to 1313. You may infer that construction started in that year. Ten years later, the first four layers were completed, and between 1377 and 1380, a provisional wooden tower crown was built on which the Golden Dragon was placed. This first dragon watched over the city for nearly 500 years and was replaced in 1853. The current dragon is number three and was installed in 1980. The belfry has had a total of seven different crowns, each time adapted to the growing number of bells of the carillon. In the mid-19th century, the last wooden covering was replaced by a cast iron construction. Due to lack of maintenance, it rusted to the point that it too was replaced. The present stone spire, after the 14th-century design, was just getting ready for the 1913 World’s Fair. Between 1967 and 1980, further substantial restorations were made to properly connect this spire to the rest of the belfry.

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Opening Hours

Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Phone: 09 375 31 61 (every weekday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
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