Glimpse of Belfry of Tournai, Belgium: UNESCO Site
Belfry of Tournai is the oldest, and one of the best preserved, belfry in Belgium. Tournai Belfry was built in 1188 AD. Centuries back these belfry in cities of Belgium and northern France served different purposes. Belfry are considered as an emblem of municipal freedoms. They were used as a lookout tower to see approaching enemy. And also as a fire lookout tower.
View of Tournai Belfry from Grand Place
The other 4 belfries of Belgium that I visited are:
Belfry of Tournai, History
Wiki mentions: Construction of Tournai belfry began in 1188 when King Philip Augustus of France granted the town its town charter. The King also conferred among other privileges the right to mount a communal bell to ring out signals to the townsfolk. In 1924, it got a face lift, additional height. It stands tall at mighty impressive height of 72 m.
Initially, when built as per original plan, the belfry had a height of just 30 m. The base was a square section and it had a crenulated parapet. It served more as a watchtower than as a bell tower. By the end of 13th century the construction of Tournai Cathedral, which turned out to be taller than the belfry tower, was complete. This obstructed the view from the tower.
In 1294 additions to the belfry more than doubled its height to 72m. Observe carefully to note that there are four towerlets at the corners and various statues. It clearly demarcates the oldest part and the newer one.
Belfry Tower of Tournai Belgium
It forms a part of 56 historical buildings of Belgium and France which are recognized by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site.
Tour of Tournai in Belgium
Tournai has lots to offer in terms of monuments. A popular adage is: Tournai – Belgium’s best-kept secret.
If Bruges is the Venice of “le plat” plays (my flat country- a French-language song), then Tournai is its Siena.
This city had to figure in my itinerary as it has 2 monuments in World Heritage Sites’ list. One is the Cathedral and other this Belfry. We did a self guided walking tour of Tournai. Of course! I must mention DK Eyewitness Travel guide book I referred to!
The town seemed to be dotted with several monuments with architectural styles of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. These were signatures left by Romans, Franks, Spanish, Austrians and French. Germans too left their signature in this town of Tournai by bombing it in World War II 1940.
Interesting how different nations had a hand in shaping up this little town of Belgium!
Things to Do in Tournai Belfry Tower
Visits to a dungeon and bell ringer’s room. Get views of Grand-Place square from a 12th-century tower.
Belfry facade is dull grey in color and fairly unadorned. Best part is that all rooms along the 257 steps to top are open to public, and that tempted us to visit the interiors of Belfry of Tournai. However, the sad part is we didn’t go to top to get the fantastic deadly views of Tournai from there. We were quite early to the place and we had other places lined up to visit after Tournai.
Belfry of Tournai Tourism Information
Address: Vieux Marché aux Poteries, 7500 Tournai, Belgium
Google Coordinates: 50.60637774103416, 3.3880148
Open Days: Tournai Belfry entry is closed on Mondays, Sunday mornings, on 15 August, 25th December and 31st December to 3 January.
Timings: It is open from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6.30 PM. from March to October, and 10 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM rest of the year.
Tickets: 2 Euros (this was in 2012)
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Great shot on a grey day!
and a towering belfry it is.
nice one!
Beautiful. Such a old building and very much intact.
awesome
really intricate designs. beautiful.
This angle adds grandeur to this stately building! Nicely done!
Great composing on the building!
Love the angle of this shot. Happy sky watching.
Skywatch
very impressive.
You've presented another wonderful architectural structure for us!
I would have had to pass on the 257steps but I wouldn't have wanted to.
hmmm well there is always a next time i am sure to go to the top to enjoy the view 🙂
This is a very impressive belfry. I imagine the few from the top is magnificent.
great photo!
Such beautiful architecture!
A beautiful belfry and a terrific capture, Indrani! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Impressive belfry!
Wonderful shot of the beautiful belfry.
A great building in Belgium.