Namur Belfry

You’re now standing at the foot of one of the most iconic symbols of this Belgian destination. Known as Namur’s belfry, this stone tower was originally a defensive element within the city’s third enclosure in the 14th century—hence its strongly fortified appearance. After the destruction of the collegiate church that served as the original belfry atop the citadel, the tower, officially called Saint-Jacques Tower, was chosen in 1746 to take over its functions. An octagonal lantern at the top, housing the civil bell, was added to fulfill this new role. With this architectural addition, the belfry rises just over 20 meters tall—a respectable height, though not as impressive as the original, which was reportedly twice as high to protect one of the city’s main gates. Wouldn’t it have been something to see? Severely damaged by American bombings in 1944, as evidenced by the visible scars on its façade, Namur’s belfry remains a sturdy historical witness. In 1999, UNESCO recognized its significance by listing it, along with 56 other French and Belgian belfries, as a World Heritage site.