Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: belfry

Legends tell, that in the 6th century a hermit named Porcianus, later known as Saint Pourcain founded a monastery on the height of land overlooking the river. The monastery was restored between 871 and 875 by monks of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Philibert, (Loire-Atlantique), who had fled the Noirmoutier Abbey traying to bring St. Philiberts relics into safety from the the Norman raids. They stayed for a couple of years and settled finally in Tournus. The monastery of Saint-Pourçain became a priory dependent on the abbey of Saint-Philibert de Tournus. In the Middle Ages, the priory prospered as did the city. During the French Revolution, the monastery was closed and its church became a parish church. Seen im the forground in the belfry.

The center of Eeklo looks a bit older than is actually is. The large, neogothique "Sint Vincentiuskerk" was erected 1878 – 1883. The "stadhuis" (town hall) is from the 17th century, the belfry was added in 1932.

In Roman times Bononia (now "Boulogne-sur-Mer") was the major Roman port for trade and communication with Britain. Caesar's invasions of Britain started right here. From the 9th century on Boulogne was the capital of the "County of Boulogne". Godfrey of Bouillon and Baldwin I of Jerusalem, prominent figures in the First Crusade, were both Counts of Boulogne. The old town, located of a hill, is surrounded by ramparts since the 13th century. The belfry, behind the "Hôtel de ville" is the last remaining structure of a fort, erected by Renaud de Dammartin, Count of Boulogne from 1191 to 1214, a powerful opponent of Philip II of France. His successors erected a still existing castle, near the remparts, at the edge of the old town. The octogonal top of the belfry was added in 1734, after the medieval spire had burnt down.