Belfry of Ghent

Belfort - Belfry of Ghent. Construction of the current Belfry of Ghent started in the first quarter of the 14th century. The original design was probably by the master mason Jan van Haelst. The current stone spire dates from 1911-1913. The Gothic building has a rectangular floor plan and is constructed from Tournai limestone. Sint-Baafsplein Belfries of Belgium and France UNESCO World Heritage site. "The Belfry (Beffroi), a lofty square tower (300 ft.) which has attained two-thirds only of the projected height, rises behind the Cloth Hall, in the Rue St. Jean. It was built in 1320-39 and in 1853 was provided with an iron spire. The chimes consist of 44 bells, recast in 1661 from the metal of the Roland, the great bell of 1314. ... The spire is surmounted by a vane, consisting of a gilded dragon, 10 ft. in length, made at Ghent in 1378."--Baedeker 1910. DSC_0309p1