Belfries of Belgium and France Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Belfries of Belgium and France
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Belfry locations
Location	Belgium; north of France
Includes	56 belfries
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iv)
Inscription	1999 (23rd Session)
Extensions	2005

Belfry of Bruges

Schepenhuis, Aalst

Cloth Hall, Ypres

Belfry of Tournai

Belfry of Mons

The Belfries of Belgium and France are a special group of 56 old buildings. They are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This means they are very important to the world's history and culture.

These belfries are tall towers. They show how cities in Flanders and nearby areas changed. In the past, powerful lords or churches controlled everything. But these belfries show when cities started to become more independent. They were symbols of a city's freedom and power.

In 1999, UNESCO first added 32 belfries from Flanders and Wallonia in Belgium to the list. Later, in 2005, the bell tower of Gembloux in Belgium was added. Also, 23 more belfries from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy regions of France joined the list. This made a total of 56 belfries. The Brussels Town Hall was not included because it was already part of another World Heritage Site.

Some church towers were also added to the list. This is because they were used as watchtowers or to ring alarm bells for the city. These include famous churches like the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp and St. Rumbolds Cathedral in Mechelen. Most of these belfries are towers that are part of bigger buildings. Some were even rebuilt after being connected to other buildings.

Belfries in Belgium
- Flanders
- Wallonia
  - Hainaut
  - Namur
Belfries in France
- Nord-Pas de Calais
  - Nord
  - Pas-de-Calais
- Picardy
  - Somme
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See also

Belfries in Belgium

Belgium has many of these historic belfries. They are found in different regions like Flanders and Wallonia. Each belfry has its own story. It often stands next to a city hall or a market hall. These towers were very important for city life. They would ring bells to announce market times, warn of fires, or call citizens together.

Flanders

Flanders is a region in Belgium. It has many famous belfries. These towers often stood next to important city buildings. They showed the wealth and power of the city.

West Flanders

In West Flanders, you can find belfries in cities like Bruges and Ypres. The Belfry of Bruges is very well-known. It is part of the old market halls. The Cloth Hall in Ypres also has a famous belfry. These towers were central to the city's trade and daily life.

East Flanders

East Flanders is home to belfries in cities such as Aalst and Ghent. The Belfry of Ghent is a tall and impressive tower. It stands proudly in the city center. These belfries often had special rooms for keeping important city documents.

Antwerp

The province of Antwerp also has several important belfries. The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is one example. Its tower served as a city watchtower. The Antwerp City Hall also has a belfry. These towers were key parts of the city's defenses and public life.

Flemish Brabant

In Flemish Brabant, belfries are found in cities like Leuven and Tienen. The tower of St. Peter's Church, Leuven is one of these. These church towers helped protect the city. They also served as important landmarks.

Limburg

Limburg has belfries in cities like Sint-Truiden and Tongeren. The Basilica of Our Lady in Tongeren has a city tower. These towers were vital for communication and safety in the past.

Wallonia

Wallonia is another region in Belgium. It also has many important belfries. These towers share a similar history with those in Flanders. They represent the independence of the cities.

Hainaut

In Hainaut, you can find belfries in cities like Mons and Tournai. The Belfry of Mons is a beautiful tower on a hill. The Belfry of Tournai is one of the oldest belfries in Belgium. These towers are great examples of medieval city architecture.

Namur

The province of Namur includes belfries in Gembloux and Namur. The Belfry of Namur is part of the city's old fortress. These belfries show the rich history of the region.

Belfries in France

Northern France also has many belfries that are part of this special list. These towers are found in the regions of Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardy. They served similar purposes to those in Belgium. They were symbols of city freedom and public life.

Nord-Pas de Calais

This region in northern France has many belfries. They are often found in city halls. These towers were important for local government and community life.

Nord

In the Nord department, cities like Lille and Dunkirk have impressive belfries. The Lille City Hall has a tall belfry. The belfries in Dunkirk include one that was once a church tower. It was later used by the city.

Pas-de-Calais

The Pas-de-Calais department also has several belfries. Cities like Arras and Calais have notable examples. The Arras City Hall belfry is very famous. It stands in the main square. These towers are important historical landmarks.

Picardy

Picardy is another region in France with belfries on the list. These towers show the rich history of the area.

Somme

In the Somme department, cities like Amiens and Abbeville have belfries. The Amiens belfry is a well-known landmark. Some belfries, like the one in Lucheux, are part of old city gates. They remind us of how cities were protected long ago.