Ghent - Belfort van Gent

Standing on the steps to the Saint Bavo Cathedral (= Sint Baafskathedraal), that was hidden under scaffoldings in spring 2015.

Seen here is the 91-metre-tall Belfort van Gent, a medieval tower overlooking the centre of Ghent. The construction of the belfry began around 1313. It was completed in 1380 and a gilded dragon got its place atop the tower.

The uppermost parts of the tower have been rebuilt several times. The stone spire of today replaced a neoGothic one, that was demolished around 1912.

The hall adjoining the belfry was built to headquarter the affairs of the cloth trade from 1425 to 1445. Inside, woollens were officially inspected and measured; transactions were negotiated. When the cloth trade declined, other business and offices moved in but as the guild still exists, there is still a room for them here.

Sint-Niklaaskerk is seen in the backdrop.