Belfry town hall Dendermonde

The Belfry and Town Hall of Dendermonde stand together on the Grote Markt, forming one of the defining landmarks of this East Flemish town and one of the 56 Belgian and French belfries recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. For centuries the tower has combined the roles of watchtower, bell tower and seat of municipal government.

When was the belfry built?

The building's history goes back to the 14th century. Construction of the cloth hall (Lakenhalle) began in 1337, and in 1377 the belfry tower itself was added onto it, rising to a height of roughly 40.30 metres. The work was carried out under master mason Michel van Melbrouc of Vilvoorde. The adjoining town hall was largely completed around the mid-14th century. The complex was altered again in the mid-16th century, and in the second quarter of the 19th century a monumental extension with plastered, neoclassical façades was added on the side facing the Vismarkt and the river Dender.

Why does the tower have such a turbulent history?

On 17 September 1914, in the opening months of the First World War, Dendermonde was almost entirely destroyed. The belfry's spire collapsed onto the Grote Markt, bringing down the 40 bells of its carillon with it, and the fire that swept the town destroyed the municipal archives. Reconstruction of the town hall and belfry took place between 1920 and 1924 under architects Alexis Sterck and Fernand De Ruddere, who aimed to restore the building's historic character while adapting it to the needs of a 20th-century town.

What is the carillon in the belfry?

The tower has housed a carillon since the 16th century, when bells were first installed there. After the wartime destruction, the instrument had to be rebuilt from scratch. In 1975, a new municipal carillon of 49 bells, weighing a combined 6,800 kg, was installed, cast by the Sergeys foundry in Leuven — the last remaining bell foundry in Flanders. Thanks to this, the Dendermonde belfry still performs its original signalling and musical function rather than serving purely as a historic backdrop.

Why was the belfry added to the UNESCO list?

On 4 December 1999, the belfry of Dendermonde was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of a group of the best-preserved belfries in Belgium — 30 Belgian towers received this status at the time, with the list later extended to include French belfries as well. The recognition highlights the role such towers played as evidence of medieval urban autonomy: a belfry symbolized the independence of the town's merchant class from feudal and church authority, and its bells announced important events, alarms and the working hours of the day.

What can visitors see today?

The town hall and belfry complex still serves administrative functions while also remaining one of Dendermonde's main tourist attractions. The tower's silhouette dominates the Grote Markt and is visible from most points in the old town centre. It is worth noting the contrast between the medieval core of the building and the neoclassical wing facing the Dender, which clearly illustrates the different layers of construction added over the centuries. For visitors to Dendermonde, the belfry is a natural starting point for exploring the market square and the surrounding historic houses.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is the Dendermonde belfry? The tower stands approximately 40.30 metres high.

Can visitors go inside the belfry? The building still serves as the functioning town hall, so access to the interior and tower is often limited to special occasions or guided visits — it's worth checking current opening arrangements locally.

Why was the belfry added to the UNESCO World Heritage List? For its value as an example of medieval urban architecture symbolizing civic autonomy; it was inscribed in 1999 together with a group of Belgian belfries.

What happened to the belfry during the First World War? On 17 September 1914, the tower's spire collapsed and its 40-bell carillon was destroyed; the building was rebuilt between 1920 and 1924.