Bruges, the Venice of the North- Bruges

by Marian De Clerck

The belfry of Bruges, or the Halletower, is located on Bruges' Grand PlaceThe Belfry with its canals of multi-coloured illumination. The belfry of Bruges, or the Halletoren, is located on Bruges' Market Square. The belfry of Bruges has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 4 December 1999. Since 2019, it has been part of Musea Brugge.
A belfry or hall tower is a medieval watch tower with a storm bell. More commonly, 'belfry' refers to an urban tower in the Southern Netherlands. This type of tower was often built on or attached to a town hall or commercial cloth hall and was where city bells were hung.
Those who climb the 366 steps will be rewarded with an impressive view of Bruges and its surroundings. On the way up, you can stop in the treasury where the city's colours, city seal and city treasury were kept in the Middle Ages.
Made by Bruno Christiaenssens, 1844. People probably started building the belfry before 1313, the year from which the first accounts date. A design drawing preserved in STAM is by Jan van Haelst, master mason. By 1323, four floors (of the six planned) had already been completed.
This on the wall is a unique piece that will give you years of pleasure