From, Beautiful Buildings in France & Belgium, Including many which have been destroyed during the war. Reproductions in Colour and Monochrome from rare old Prints and Drawings, by and after Prout, Boys, Coney, W. Callow, David Roberts, C. Wild and others, with descriptive notes, by C. Harrison Townsend, F.R.I.B.A.; New York: The Hubbell Publishing Co., 1916; pp. 102-105.
GHENT : THE BELFRY
(T. S. Boys)
HE Belfry or “Belfrood” — the middle tower of the group shown on page 94, and referred to in the note — is represented in fuller detail in Boys’ sketch. In most cases of unfinished buildings in Belgium the original drawings have been carefully preserved, and in the present instance, those engaged, as has been mentioned, on the restoration and completion of this tower possessed in the city archives a record of the intentions of its first builders. These, commencing the work in 1183, left it incomplete — and wanting its spire — in 1337.
The vane, a gilded dragon some 10 feet 104 in length, is an interesting piece of loot from the Church of St. Sophia at Constantinople, whence it was taken by Count Baldwin VIII in 1204 and presented to his town of Ghent.
Copyright © 2007 by Elfinspell