The Roeland Bell - Klokke Roeland, Gent

The "Klokke Roeland" cast in 1314 and hung in the Belfort , was used as an alarm bell until it was re-cast in 1659. After that it was used to ring out victories and other celebrations.

During the Gent Festival of 1914 it cracked ( one wonders if it was reverting to its former role as a harbinger of danger?).

It was not replaced in the belfry until 1948 when a new bell was placed there and it has stood patiently nearby, in the square between the Belfort and st Nicolas Church,ever since.

The crack has been patched and restored - you can see the shiny mark down the side of the bell. There are plans to return it to its place in the Carillon of the Belfry in 2008 and I imagine there will be great crowds to hear its peal ring out once more.

Klokke Roeland is the name of a bell that used to hang in the Belfry tower until it was severely damaged and replaced in 1914. The bell now sits on display in a small park situated at the foot of the Belfry.

The Roeland Bell (Klokke Roeland) has decorated the Burgemeester Braun square since 1950. The 6t-heavy bell was made in 1660 by Pieter Hemony. It cracked in 1914.

In the picture, you can also see the Belfry (Belfort) and the Cathedral of St Baaf (St Baafskathedraal).

Inside a belfry in Flanders you will always find a Carillon (or set of Bells) it is part of the Flemish tradition.
The most famous of all Flemish bells, the Roeland bell, used to hang in the Belfry in Gent. Later, other and smaller bells were hung in the tower. In 1914, one of the bells was electrically tested, with a burst as a result. This bell, the Triomfant, can now be seen on the square next to the tower.
At the concrete foot it said: Born in 1660, hurt in 1914 and resting here since 1950.

'Klokke Roeland' is the name of a bell that used to hang in the Belfry tower until it was badly damaged in 1914. Its purpose was to warn people in times of danger like war and fire.
The bell can now be found in a small park situated at the foot of the Belfry.

'Klokke Roeland' is a bell that used to hang in the Belfry. There are other bells there now that are used to play the Carillion.
You can hear a carillion concert every sunday from 11:30 untill 12:30 and from march 21st untill november 11th, also on fridays at the same hour.

The Roeland Bells has decored the Burgemeester Braun square since 1950. Built by Pieter Hemony in 1660, it weights 6000 kg and it cracked in 1914.