Unesco description
Twenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed in 2005, as an extension to the 32 Belgian belfries inscribed in 1999 as Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia. Built between the 11th and 17th centuries, they showcase the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of architecture. They are highly significant tokens of the winning of civil liberties. While Italian, German and English towns mainly opted to build town halls, in part of north-western Europe, greater emphasis was placed on building belfries. Compared with the keep (symbol of the seigneurs) and the bell-tower (symbol of the Church), the belfry, the third tower in the urban landscape, symbolizes the power of the aldermen. Over the centuries, they came to represent the influence and wealth of the towns.

Partial list
See below cards

Received through Postcrossing on 11.12.2013
History:
The Cathedral of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today’s see of the Diocese of Antwerp was started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been ‘completed’. The church’s one finished spire is 123 metres (404 ft) high, the highest church tower in the Benelux. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor commented that the spire should be kept under glass, and Napoleon compared the spire to Mechlin lace. The largest bell in the tower requires 16 bell ringers.

Trivia:
Several members of the Plantyn-Moretus family are buried here (Johannes Moretus, Balthasar Moretus, Christopher Plantyn)

Received through a private swap on 07.08.2014
The belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a medieval bell tower in the historical centre of Bruges, Belgium. One of the city’s most prominent symbols, the belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger. A narrow, steep staircase of 366 steps, accessible by the public for an entry fee, leads to the top of the 83-metre-high building, which leans about a metre to the east.

Received through Postcrossing on 13.01.2011
Also called El Catiau by Montois, it was built in the 17th century. The belfry is the only baroque style building in Belgium that reaches a height of 87 meters. In its top section it contains a 49 bell carrion.

Received through a private swap on 05.06.2015
St. Peters Church (1425-1500) was finished by Jan Keldermans and Matheus de Layens. During the Second World War it was damaged but during the restauration a Romanesque crypt from the 11th century was found. The 50 meter high tower (which was meant to measure 169 meters but was never completed) is home to a carrilon.

Received through a private swap on 11.12.2012
The city hall of Brugge is one of the oldest in the region.

Received through a private swap on 05.06.2015
In medieval times, Brugge was known as a commercial metropolis. The city shows influences of different regions of Europe in its art and architecture.

Partial list

• Aalst – Belfort en Schepenhuis / Beffroi et maison échevinale
• Antwerp – Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal
• Antwerp – Stadhuis
• Dendermonde – Belfort en Hallen
• Brugge – Stadhuis met Belfort
• Diksmuide – Stadhuis met Belfort
• Eeklo – Stadhuis met Belfort
• Gent – Belfort, Lakenhal en Mammelokker (ancienne prison)
• Herentals – Voormalig Stadhuis / Lakenhal
• Gembloux – Belfort met Lakenhal (Beffroi / Halle-aux-Draps)
• Kortrijk – Het Belfort of Halletoren
• Leuven – Sint-Pieterskerk / Belfort
• Lier – Stadhuis en Belforttoren
• Lo-Reninge – Voormalig Stadhuis met Belfort
• Mechelen – Ancienne Halle avec Beffroi
• Mechelen – Tour de Saint-Rombaut
• Menen – Belfort en Stadhuis
• Nieuwpoort – Stadshal met Belfort
• Oudenaarde – Stadhuis met Belfort
• Roeselaere – Stadhuis, Stadshal en Belfort
• Sint Truiden – Stadhuis met Toren
• Tielt – “Halletoren” ou Belfort, Hal en Schepenkamer
• Tienen – Sint-Germanuskerk met Stadstoren
• Tongeren – Onze-Lieve-Lievevrouwebasiliek met Stadstoren
• Veurne – Landhuis met Belfort
• Zoutleeuw – Sint-Leonarduskerk
• Beffroi de l’Hôtel de Ville de Binche
• Beffroi de l’Hôtel de Ville de Charleroi
• Beffroi de Mons
• Beffroi de Namur
• Beffroi de Thuin
• Beffroi de Tournai