Belfry - Namur

The Belfry of Namur is located at the back of the beautiful Place d'Armes , once an important administrative center. The building was a former military tower from the 14th century and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The buildings on Place d'Armes in Namur were largely destroyed by German bombing during World War I and were only partially rebuilt.

The Belfry is a beautiful round corner tower from the last quarter of the 14th century, built from limestone rubble, which was once part of the fortifications of the old town. This former military building was converted in 1745 into a civilian building whose purpose was to warn the population in case of emergency.

Only three such works remain in the city , which may explain its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Belfry of Namur, also called “ Tour Saint-Jacques” , is a remarkable building decorated with an octagonal bell tower on three levels decorated with sitting dogs and openings behind which the municipal bells are hidden. These latter, largely sculpted bells, cast in 1832 and 1841 respectively, are simply enormous . They literally hang from the colossal wooden frame of the belfry, the complexity of which will truly leave you speechless!

Willem Vandenameele