The belfry of Tournai is the oldest belfry of Belgium and raises of the major Patrimoine of Wallonia.

History

It was built as from 1188, when the Philippe-Auguste king de France allowed to the middle-class men Tournai to have in some place a bell in order to make use of it for their business. It was consolidated since 1294. Before this date the tower: was to be presented in the form of a simple square tower finished by a crenelated and flanked terrace with the angles of buttresses rounded. This belfry was to seem spindly and little solid. Also, since 1294, one thought of strengthening it. One built the buttresses with cut sides, the octagonal turrets of the angles and one raised the tower all height of the large window. One overcame the whole of a slate arrow and clochetons.

The belfry was burnt in the night from February 13rd to 14th 1391 which destroyed crowning. Various other arrangements intervened during the centuries.

The plan of horizontal of the belfry to the shape of an irregular parallelogram with buttresses with cut sides. It is seventy meters height: the first part is between the ground and the first interior gallery, the second reaches the second and the third the arrow and the turrets.

The staircase makes it possible to reach five stages of parts being used formerly as prison. The Bancloque announces the public festivals and the stamp gives alarm.

To go further

Internal bond

• Belfries of Belgium and France

External bond

• the belfry of Turned on the site of the royal Institut of the artistic Inheritance (IRPA)

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