Construction began shortly after 1200, and part of the church was consecrated in 1312. Jean d'Oisy led repairs after the fire of 1342 and the second building phase until 1375. The article says the nave vaults were finished by 1437 and the choir vaults by 1451. The tower was built from 1452 to 1520, with Andries I Keldermans as chief architect, and its original designer is uncertain.
The tower is about 318 feet (97 m) tall with 514 steps. The original design called for about 548 feet (167 m), but the spire was left at roughly 23 feet (7 m) of a planned 253 feet (77 m), which explains the flat top. It stands on former wetlands, with foundations about 10 feet (3 m) deep.
The tower was financed first by pilgrims and later by the city. The tower, as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France, is a UNESCO site since 1999.
Comments