Dendermonde - Grote Markt

The former vleeshuis (meat market) is another notable building in the market square, easily recognizable by its octagonal tower. This Gothic hall was built in 1460-1462. Until 1862 the benches still stood on the ground floor where the butchers offered their products for sale. The Sint-Joris-Gilde used to meet on the first floor and under the roof the rhetoric guild "De Leeuwerckenaers". From 1715 both these rooms were used as the main police station.

Since its restoration in 1899 the vleeshuis houses the Stedelijk Oudheidkundig Museum (Municipal Museum) of the town's history.

The stadhuis (town hall) was built between 1336-1350 as a textile hall and converted in 1600.

It was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1914, only the belfry (1378) with its carillon remained undamaged. Rebuilding took place in the 1920s. The rooms contain some interesting paintings among which are works by the painter Jan Verhas (1834-1896) who came from this town.

The tower is a UNESCO site.