Central to the Cloth Hall in Ypres is a Belfry Tower.
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| Ypres Cloth Hall Belfry Tower |
The tower is 70 metres (230 feet) high, providing views around the city and the surrounding areas which would form the Salient in WW1.
Its original function was a watch tower, with the bells a means of warning of fires, invasion or other dangers. The building of the Cloth Hall started in 1200, and completed in 1304. It was destroyed during the opening period of World War One 1914-15 and lay in ruins for over 10 years. It's restoration would take from 1928 to 1967.
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| Ypres Cloth Hall pre WW1 |
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| Ypres Cloth Hall in ruins post WW1 |
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| Ypres Cloth Hall 2020 |
The viewpoint is reached by a stone spiral staircase from within the Flanders Field Museum, passing through 3 main floors to the top.
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| Ypres Cloth Hall Belfry Tower |
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Ypres Cloth Hall Belfry Tower
Menin Gate
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Ypres Cloth Hall Belfry Tower
View of Menin Gate westwards
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Ypres Cloth Hall Belfry Tower
View southward
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