Béthune Belfry

Béthune, France

The 47-metre-tall belfry is standing in the center of Béthune. The Belgian border can be seen from the top. The chime of the belfry is composed of thirty-six bells. A belfry has stood on the site since 1346. The current belfry plays melodies every 15 minutes, including the ch'ti (regional patois) children's lullaby min p'tit quinquin (my little darling). In 2005, the belfry was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site, because of its architecture and testimony to the rise of municipal power in Europe.

Address

Grand Place 10, Béthune, France

See all sites in Béthune

Details

Founded: 1346
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com
visitworldheritage.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Carla van der Meijden (5 years ago)
Can't wait for this beautiful historic tower to be restored!

Yong Wooi Kee (6 years ago)
Great historic place

Mick Pelling (6 years ago)
First time visit to this city, but only had a small walk around, looked a nice place. Maybe I will return.

Alastair McKenzie (6 years ago)
A narrow medieval circular staircase to climb, but punctuated with rooms on each floor to catch your breath. The last bit involves a tight squeeze on your hands & knees to get out onto the balcony. Interesting carillon mechanism, but you want to time your arrival at the top so not to be deafened!

howard davies (6 years ago)
Old city cobbled Square surrounded by beautiful 4/5 storey buildings

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.