The 'Klokke Roeland' bell was cast in 1659 and weighs approximately 6,000 kilograms.
The copper dragon atop the spire dates back to the 14th century and has served as a symbol of Ghent since 1377.
The tower functions as the central point of the 'Three Towers of Ghent' row.
The belfry was built on top of the Cloth Hall, which served as the center of the medieval wool trade.
The belfry once stored the city's vital charters and privileges in a heavily fortified iron safe.
The carillon is played automatically by a drum mechanism that changes its melody periodically.
The current structure replaced a shorter, original 13th-century stone tower.
The Belfry of Ghent is a 14th-century watchtower standing at 91 meters, serving as a symbol of the city's medieval independence. It is one of three iconic towers in Ghent's skyline, situated in the historic city center between St. Bavo's Cathedral and St. Nicholas' Church. The structure houses a carillon consisting of 54 bells, including the historic 'Klokke Roeland'. Visitors ascend the tower via a series of stairs and an elevator to access the belfry chamber and the panoramic viewing gallery at the top. The top of the tower is crowned by a golden dragon weather vane, a traditional protector of the city. Originally completed in 1380, the belfry served as both a municipal treasury and a watchtower for detecting fires or invading armies. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France series. The interior includes a dedicated museum area detailing the history of the city's guild system and the role of the bells.
The viewing gallery at the very top offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the medieval city center.
Use the elevator for the ascent if you prefer to save energy for the final staircase climb to the viewing gallery.
Check the carillon schedule to time your visit with a live performance by the city carillonneur.
Dress in layers as the temperature in the stone stairwells can be significantly cooler than at street level.
Avoid visiting during extreme wind conditions, as the top gallery may be closed for safety reasons.
Maintain a quiet tone within the stairwell and interior museum spaces.
