Source: Pascal Brackman
The southern tower bears at its top the famous bell ringer Jan van Nijvel. This representation of a man ringing the bells, two meters tall, is made of gilded brass. The figure dates from around 1400 and was moved from the old town hall to this church tower in 1617.
This automaton was gifted to the city by Duke Charles the Bold in the 15th century. Initially, it was placed in the town hall, but in 1617 it was transferred to the southern tower of the collegiate church. It was around that time that the population began to refer to it as Jean de Nivelles, after the French figure that appeared in popular songs. In the Nivelles dialect, he was affectionately known as Djan-Djan. The song Vive Djan-Djan is the hymn of the city.
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Source: Pascal Brackman
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Source: Pascal Brackman
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