Belfry of Aire-sur-la-Lys

About

The belfry of Aire-sur-la-Lys is a monument forming part of the heritage of Aire-sur-la-Lys. First built in 1355, rebuilt between 1716 and 1724, it was classified as historical monuments in 1947 with the adjoining town hall. It is one of the 23 belfries that were classified as World Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005 in the list of "belfries of Belgium and France".

The first belfry of Aire-sur-la-Lys was born in 1355. The current building was rebuilt between 1716 and 1724 by the architect Heroguel.

Early constructions: Before the 13th century, there was nothing to attest to the existence of a belfry even if the city obtained seigneurial power bells, charter, seal and hall, a sign of the city's nascent power. The first document that evokes the belfry, dated 1355, is by Jean de Picquigny. He tells us that the mayor and the elders of Aire have built a hall to sell several goods. It is the ancestor of the city hall. The Air people want the agreement of the governor of Artois to...