Concise history:

Origin and construction of first Grain Hall

The Belfry of Nieuwpoort has its origins in the municipal charter given to the town by Philip of Alsace in 1163. There is mention of a grain hall as early as 1280. The first real mention is from 1292 when income is reported from the grain hall used to build St. Laurentius Church.

The calamity of 1383 and construction of the Belfry

In 1383, Nieuwpoort faced a siege by a coalition of Ghent and Englishmen who captured, plundered and burned the city. The damage was considerable and from 1385 reconstruction began. The grain hall is rebuilt, again on the Grand Place and this time with a belfry.

The ‘Herman tower’ and carillon

The belfry will have a jacquemart or hour knocker with two wooden figures striking a bell each full and half hour. The largest figure is named Herman and the tower is called the Herman Tower. To this, a carillon was added in 1578, which after extensions in 1674 became too large and was therefore moved to the tower of Our Lady’s Church where it still hangs today.

Damage in 1875 and total destruction in 1914

In 1875, restoration of the grain hall and belfry took place but it did not get any more beautiful. There is even talk of mutilations. Things got worse on Oct. 27, 1914, when Belgian engineer troops blew up the tower with dynamite to prevent the advancing Germans from using it. In the war years that follow, the entire city is reduced to rubble.

Reconstruction led by Josef Viérin

From 1921 through 1923, the belfry was reconstructed with the original material. The 1875 “mutilations” will not return, and even embellishments will be made. The belfry will receive a new crowning more in line with the regional church towers. After meticulous reconstruction, the new grain hall is indistinguishable from its predecessor.

Architecture and features

The tower has a height of 35 meters and is built in late Gothic style with materials such as yellow bricks, tiles and slate. The belfry has octagonal corner turrets and a pyramidal spire with a weather vane with the symbols of the city coat of arms: a ship and a lion.

Museum space and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Today, the grain hall serves primarily as a reception and exhibition space, while the belfry has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1999 along with 23 other belfry towers in Flanders. Visitors can visit the grain hall only during exhibitions or events. The Belfry has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and is also classified as a protected monument by the Royal Commission on Monuments and Sites of Belgium.

Sources:

• #1 Website Les Beffrois, Les Perrons & Les Rolands accessed August 3, 2023

• #2 2003, Along Flemish Belfries and Townhouses, Michiel Heirman, Davidsfonds Publishers, Leuven.

• #3 Singing Towers,” Andreas Dill & Luc Rombouts, Davidsfonds Leuven, 2017.

• #4 Website onroerenderfgoed.be, accessed August 3, 2023.

• #5 Website Wikipedia, accessed August 3, 2023.

Belfort opening hours

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except during Flemish school vacations. From April 1 through Sept. 30, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each time(last admission at 4 p.m.).