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joantri
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Editor Pick

The Belfort - Views

  • July 1, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by mightywease from Carshalton, United Kingdom
The Belfort - Views

The phrase “No pain, no gain” quite aptly fits the climb to the top of the Belfort.

First for the pain part! The 366 steps of the spiral stone and wooden staircase are a little hard on the feet—and the thigh muscles!

However, there are places where you can stop and rest for a while on the way, although with traffic moving up behind you and coming down ahead of you passing can be quite tricky (but a useful way to practice saying “After You” and “Thank You” in various languages!”)

The gain part of the equation comes from the wonderful panoramic views of Bruges you get from the top. Well worth the aching muscles!

Pack a camera for the views and a sturdy pair of shoes for the climb Then, after 366 steps up and 366 steps down, reward yourself with a cup of coffee or a cold Belgian beer!

From journal Bruges - The Epitome of Charm

Editor Pick

The Belfort

  • July 1, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by mightywease from Carshalton, United Kingdom
The Belfort

If you get lost in some of the attractive narrow streets of Bruges see if you can spot the distinctive shape of the Belfort standing out above the buildings as it is a useful focal point to lead you back to the Market.

The Belfort looks like the sort of tower Rapunzel would be locked up in! Two square Norman style church towers stacked on top of each other with an extra hexagonal tower on top for good measure, decorated along the way by spires and arrow slits.

This imposing structure dominates the Market and the surrounding area. Climb the 366 steps (count them, 366!) to the top for fantastic views of the surrounding city and you might also hear the 47 bells of the Carillon play a tune.

Entrance is €5.
Open: 9:30am - 5:00pm Tuesday - Sunday (closed Monday)

From journal Bruges - The Epitome of Charm

Editor Pick

The Belfry of Bruges

  • March 29, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Monique Witsel from Switzerland, Switzerland
The Belfry of Bruges

In the ancient town of Bruges,
In the quaint old Flemish city,
As the evening shades descended,
Low and loud and sweetly blended,
Low at times and loud at times,
And changing like a poet's rhymes,
Rang the beautiful wild chimes
From the Belfry in the market
Of the ancient town of Bruges

--Taken from "The Belfry of Bruges Carillon," written by the popular 19th-century American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The 83m-high Belfry tower and the Cloth Hall, dating back from 1240, still dominate the Market Square of today.

Not only did it function as seat of government and marketplace for sale of cloth (hence the name "cloth hall"), it symbolized the economic, political, and social bases of the city. The Belfry fire of 1280 destroyed the first tower, yet served as a portent of developing the impending change of the city.

The Belfry tower was the place where the important documents of the city were preserved. At the same time, such towers were used as watchtowers. Inside hung bells, each bell having a distinct sound and function (e.g. bells for danger, bells for important announcements, bells to indicate the time, etc.).

What many people do not know, since it is practically not visible to the eye, is that the tower leans, by an exact measurement of 83 cm (southerly). The lower floor began sagging, which may have been brought on by the filling of the Reie (a canal) on the south side of the building. To compensate for this, the above floor was built leaning, and as the top was being constructed (from 1482-1486), it too was built leaning but in the opposite direction, causing a zigzag affect. The Wooden Spire, which once decorated the top of the tower, burnt for a second time in 1741 and was therefore never reconstructed.

Nowadays, the Belfry tower charms the visitor with the lovely music of a "carillion," which consists of 47 bells with a combined weight of 27 tons.

For an individual entrance fee of 5 euro, it is possible to reach the top of the tower by climbing the 366 steps to the belfry (unfortunately, there is no lift). From there out one can enjoy the spectacular overview of Bruges itself, not to mention the up-close view of the magnificent bells system.

Learn about how they give out their beautiful tones.

From journal 1 Week Romantic Getaway

The Belfrey

  • December 17, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by rossiste from Seattle, Washington, Afghanistan
OR the Belfort:

Be ready to climb some stairs! A lot of stairs. 366 to be exact. And like most towers you come across in Europe that date back in time, the stairs seem to get steeper, narrower, and smaller the higher you go. Not good if you are afraid of heights or confined spaces. I could see this stairway getting crowded in high season, but we were then in March, so it wasn’t that bad.

The view at the top is worth the climb, as is the up-close view of the inner workings of the 47 bell carillon.

The view at the top is a 360-degree panoramic view of Bruges. You pretty much can see the extent of the Old Town and the windmills off in the distance. There are some great photo opportunities.

Open 9:30-5pm, Closed Monday

Cost: 5€

From journal Bruges side trip from Amsterdam

The Belfrey

  • September 19, 2004
  • Rated 3 of 5 by akakd from , Arizona
The Belfrey

Dominating Market Square is the 13th century Belfort (or Belfry). It is a stunning octagonal tower where the city's medieval charter of rights is held. On the ground floor are rotating exhibits. When we were there, the exhibit was selected works by Rodin. Of course, I couldn't resist.

From journal Charming Bruges

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