Belfry - Definition and Overview

See also Belfry, Montana for the U.S. town and Belfry (band) for the German Epic Metal band.

Belfry of Bruges

A belfry is a building (also known as a bell tower) - or a part of a building - in which bells are hung.

In the Middle Ages cities sometimes kept their important documents in belfries.

Belfries occur in England, in the western provinces of Flanders, and in the north of France along the Belgian border. Bruges, Ypres, Ghent and Douai have famous examples. There is also a belfry in the Dutch town Sluis

Compare campanile.

The Belgian belfries are on the list of World Heritage Sites

Belfry of Ypres