Ghent - Belfry

On the west side of Sint-Baafsplein stands the 91m/298ft-high belfry, symbol of the city's independence, where the charters of the privileges of Ghent were kept. The tower was begun about 1300 and by 1338 was mainly completed. The present-day spire was restored to its original 14th C. form at the beginning of this century and replaced the wooden bell tower of 1380. It is crowned by a gilded copper dragon, which was first installed in 1377. Today it is a replica as are the four armed figures at the corners of the platform. Only one of the originals of these survives and can be seen on the ground floor.

The tower is a UNESCO site.