Belfry+in+the+Grote+Markt

=Belfry in the Grote Markt=

Bruges
The Grote Market, also known as The Markt, is located in the heart of Bruges. The Belfry is a medieval bell tower located in the Markt. It is one of the city's most prominent symbols and was once a treasury and the municipal archives, as well as an observation post for spotting fires. Today it is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Belfry was added to the Markt around 1240. This was when Bruges was an important centre for the Flemish cloth industry. However, a devastating fire in 1280 caused massive damage, resulting in necessary reconstruction. The city archives were lost in the flames. An octagonal stage was also added later on, around 1483, which had a wooden spire on top that had an image of Saint Michael on it. However lightning reduced the spire to ashes and destroyed the bells in 1493. A new spire was added until lightning once again destroyed it in 1741.

Today, the Belfry is a very popular tourist area and is now open to the public. There is a very narrow and steep staircase of 366 stairs leading to the top of the building, at a total of 272 feet. The sides and back of the tower are covered by a rectangular building with an inner courtyard, which was once the Markt hall. The Belfry also has very large bells which announce the time, fire alarms, and social/political/religious events. Today, there are a total of 47 bells in the tower which range from the weight of 2-11,000 pounds. Today the tower is climbed daily, and is treasured widely as a symbol of the medieval era.