What is the Belfries of Belgium and France?
Q: What is the Belfries of Belgium and France?
A: The Belfries of Belgium and France is a group of 56 historical buildings that are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe. It shows a design change from feudal and religious influence in historic Flanders and its neighboring regions of the Duchy of Burgundy.
Q: When was it included in UNESCO's list?
A: UNESCO included 32 towers of Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia in 1999, with an additional 23 towers from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy regions added to the renamed list in 2005.
Q: Was Brussels Town Hall included?
A: No, Brussels Town Hall was not included since it was already part of the Grand Place World Heritage Site.
Q: What other structures were added to the list?
A: Six church towers were also added since they served as watchtowers or alarm bell towers. These include Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, St. Rumbolds Cathedral in Mechelen, St. Peter's Church, Leuven, St. Germanus Church in Tienen, the Basilica of Our Lady in Tongeren and St. Leonard's Church in Zoutleeuw.
Q: Are all structures on this list independent buildings?
A: No, most structures on this list are actually towers from bigger buildings while a few are restoration projects for previously connected nearby bigger buildings.
Q: How many sites does this group include?
A: This group includes 56 historical buildings across Europe that are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
