Lake Hall of Herentals

About

The Lake Hall of Herentals is a classic medieval sheet hall. The accompanying tower was a belfry. It now contains a carillon with 49 bells. It is one of the 56 belfries in Belgium and France declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History: Before 1430 the building is mentioned as golden huys, 'meethuys en loter-(loot)huis. In that year, it was called City Hall. In the fifteenth century it was rebuilt as a sheet hall by the clothmakers and weavers. In old documents, from before 1430, the building is mentioned as 'city hall'. In 1512 the building burned down almost completely, and in 1534 it was rebuilt in Ledic sandstone. There was also a 35 meter high tower in red Uvelian brick, which served as belfry. In 2021 it became known that the Lakenhal is being restored with the exhibition space for the images of Charles Auguste Fraikin. That Fraikin room was reopened in May 2026.