Béthune Belfry

Béthune, France

The 47-metre-tall belfry is standing in the center of Béthune. The Belgian border can be seen from the top. The chime of the belfry is composed of thirty-six bells. A belfry has stood on the site since 1346. The current belfry plays melodies every 15 minutes, including the ch'ti (regional patois) children's lullaby min p'tit quinquin (my little darling). In 2005, the belfry was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site, because of its architecture and testimony to the rise of municipal power in Europe.

Address

Grand Place 10, Béthune, France

See all sites in Béthune

Details

Founded: 1346
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com
visitworldheritage.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Carla van der Meijden (4 years ago)
Can't wait for this beautiful historic tower to be restored!

Yong Wooi Kee (5 years ago)
Great historic place

Mick Pelling (5 years ago)
First time visit to this city, but only had a small walk around, looked a nice place. Maybe I will return.

Alastair McKenzie (5 years ago)
A narrow medieval circular staircase to climb, but punctuated with rooms on each floor to catch your breath. The last bit involves a tight squeeze on your hands & knees to get out onto the balcony. Interesting carillon mechanism, but you want to time your arrival at the top so not to be deafened!

howard davies (5 years ago)
Old city cobbled Square surrounded by beautiful 4/5 storey buildings

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright CONTROTONO

Historic Site of the week

Clementinum

The Clementinum is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries, the City Library also being located nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. The Technical library and the Municipal library have moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6 since 2009. It is currently in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic.

Its history dates from the existence of a chapel dedicated to Saint Clement in the 11th century. A Dominican monastery was founded in the medieval period, which was transformed in 1556 to a Jesuit college. In 1622 the Jesuits transferred the library of Charles University to the Klementinum, and the college was merged with the University in 1654. The Jesuits remained until 1773, when the Klementinum was established as an observatory, library, and university by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria.