Schepenhuis, Aalst, Belgium

The Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House) of Aalst is a former city hall, one of the oldest in the Low Countries. Dating originally from 1225, it was partially rebuilt twice as a result of fire damage, first after a 1380 war and again after a fireworks accident in 1879.

The belfry tower at one corner of the building was completed in 1460, and in the next year was equipped with a carillon built by master craftsmen from Mechelen. The current carillon, the sixth installed since the original, has 52 bells. Inscribed on the tower are the Latin words nec spe, nec metu ('not with hope, not with fear'). This was the motto of Spain's Philip II, whose domain expanded into the Low Countries in 1555.

A small wing of late Gothic style, facing the market square and adorned with five life-size statues, was added in the 16th century. From this annex one can access the cellars, which originally served as torture chambers.

The schepenhuis with its belfry is one of an ensemble of related buildings that together have received UNESCO World Heritage status.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Jean Marie Boyer (2 years ago)
We spent a holiday in a beautiful region aalst A very beautiful city And many visited And also to say If you are in this region during the carnival period very beautiful to see, and also we appreciated it is the brownies Who bring a lot at this carnival, and we slept at host station

den jo (3 years ago)
Beautiful building with great historical value. There is also the oldest surviving aldermen's house in the Netherlands and one of the oldest working carillons (expanded to 52 bells). Nice view from the tower (only under supervision), in addition, one of the better / best escape rooms in Belgium has been confirmed with the theme the gang of Jan de Lichte. A nice thing about this is that the same cellars used to be used as prison torture chambers and the gang was imprisoned and tried here at the time. This escape room is therefore not just a fantasy, but based on true facts at this location.

Michel Coen (3 years ago)
Nice space to exhibit.

Corina Niculae (4 years ago)
Nice

Karol Litkowski (4 years ago)
Warte zwiedzania jak się jest przy okazji

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