City Hall and Belfry

Oudenaarde, from city charter to cobblestone

Let us start with the city's vibrant heart: the market square. The welcoming place is peppered with restaurants, cafes and inviting terraces. The town hall, a delightful stroll away, is an iconic building that forms a whole with the 14th-century Cloth Hall and the 16th-century Belfry in Brabant late-Gothic style. Believe us, it pays to admire this historic set of buildings in all their glory. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that it is duly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

LOOK ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES … is the message here

Here is the ground floor with its striking colonnade and its remarkable pointed arches. The central Belfry graciously reached out to the clouds. Sumptuously decorated frames with collars adorned with angels, mermaids and hunting scenes. The longer you look, the more you see.

But we shall not reveal all the secrets just yet. It is up to you to uncover other mysteries and legends ... on your voyage of discovery! Do you wonder what symbolism underlies the coat of arms? The spire with its red copper statue will give you a clue. For these and many questions, the tourist office will be happy to throw open its door or rather gate. The contemporary reception area is nestled in the Gothic part of the city hall.

The famous French author Victor Hugo expressed his fascination as follows: “In this fantastic building, every detail is worth scrutiny.”