Belfry Bruges

The Belfry tower is the proud of Bruges. It is one of three towers that make the landscape in Bruges. The Belfry tower is eighty three meters high and 366 steps and built in the 13th century. Belfry towers were a symbol of the power and the wealth of the cities during the middle ages. It was a way to show off the prosperity and the power of the city towards the count. The Belfry tower is the most important building on the Market square which was the commercial heart of Bruges, so had it's purpose. 

On top we have the carillon which is a music instrument and a group of bells. The carillon in Bruges has 47 bells and is played by a carillon player. The carillon looks like a piano but with sticks in wood. 

Bruges has three official carillon players which give, in summer time, every 10 days a carillon concert in the evening on the Market square. The Belfry tower of Bruges has the biggest carillon of it's kind in France and Belgium. 

The Belfry tower was built in 1250 but had many faces. Started in 1250 with one level it evolved all up to to four levels in the 15th century. 

Unfortunately one level burned down in the 17th century. So the Belfry tower you see today is the 17th century version.

The Belfry tower is one of the oldest civil buildings in Gothic architecture. Together with the other 55 Belfry towers in Belgium and France they are Unesco heritage since 1999.

When people look well at the Belfry tower they will see that the tower is not straight anymore. It leans one meter to the left if you look at the front side of the tower. 

The reason for this is simple. The city of Bruges was built on a sand hill which makes the soil not 100% stable. Constructors in the 13th century even used cow skins to make the soil more stable. 

The Belfry tower can be visited every day from 9 am until 7 pm and costs 15€. An average condition to climb the tower is recommended. It has a workout of climbing of at least 20 floors.

The Belfry tower is the most important building on the Market square which was the commercial heart of Bruges, so had it's purpose. More information on the Market square you find here:  https://www.crusade.be/l/market-square-bruges/

Get more information about the history and the habits around Bruges in our history tour or culinary and history tour. The topic of the Belfry tower is a part of our tour together with the other places to visit in the city centre. For more information click the button below.