Guided tours for schools:
Dienst Monumentenzorg
Veldstraat 55
9000 Gent
tel. +32 0(9) 269 37 30 - fax +32 (0)9 269 37 55
e-mail monumentenzorg@gent.be

Ticket:
Individual: 3,00 euro
Groups (at least 15 persons): 2,5 euro
Students: 2,5 euro
+ 55: 2,5 euro
children up to 12 years: free

The construction of the Ghent municipal tower, symbol of the autonomy of the city, started in 1313. Repeatedly the works had to be suspended because of wars and other tribulations. The belfry was completed in 1380. During the course of the centuries, the building had 7 different crownings, adapted to the growing number of carillon clocks.

The silhouette was according to the then current architectural style. In the middle of the 19th century, the wooden spire was replaced by a cast iron campanile. Due to the lack of maintenance, the spire started to rust. The new stone bell tower, after a design of the 14th century, was finished just before the World Exhibition of 1913. The bad anchorage on the old work caused thorough restoration works, carried out between 1967 and 1980.

Click on the image for more information about every floor of the Belfry.