Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
6 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
7 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
8 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the Netherlands Sluis Belfort Sluis

Belfort Sluis

This bell tower is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands and was a symbol of prestige.

Sluis, Netherlands

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  PetrusSilesius
  PetrusSilesius
  Petrus Silesius
The skyline of Sluis is dominated by the belfort   Jean-Paul Grandmont
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The term “belfort” is usually translated into English as “belfry” but this loses the real meaning.  A “belfry” most often means a church bell tower, but in the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium the term is reserved for a secular bell tower, usually attached to a town hall or some other administrative civic building. The concept is typically Flemish and such towers are quite common in the northern part of Belgium. The best-known of these is the magnificent belfort in nearby Bruges (part of the Bruges World Heritage Site). In the Netherlands, the Sluis is the only one of its kind. 

The town of Sluis is located in a section of the Netherlands separated from the rest of the country by the Schelte estuary. In fact, it has no land border with the rest of the Netherlands and in the early 1830s almost became part of Belgium after the Belgian War of Independence.

The 14th-15th century belfort was originally used to ring bells to announce important events such as an invading army or a fire. In Flemish tradition, such a structure gave a town a great level of prestige. 

The Sluis Belfort is attached to the three-story former town hall, which is now an exhibition hall that incorporates a small museum outlining its history. The building was originally called the “gatehouse” and next to it was a building called the “ship's house” used as a weigh house for cargo.

In 1393, a fire destroyed both buildings. The ship's house was restored immediately. The belfort building itself was not restored until 1423, at which time it became the town hall. The ship's house was demolished in 1798, but the belfort and town hall were restored between 1894 and 1904.

During Allied bombing campaigns in October 1944, the building, along with much of the town, was destroyed along with art treasures and the town's archives. The belfort was rebuilt between 1956 and 1960. It's the only historic building left in town.

In the bell tower is a carillon, a system of bells that are played by a keyboard. The tower is accessible to the public, providing views over the town. Arriving at the right time, visitors can witness the bellringer playing the keyboard.

The museum now has a large number of art objects that range from the 15th-18th centuries. The council chamber is a wrought iron gate designed by famous Dutch craftsman Jan Pieter van Baurscheidt de Jonge.

Related Tags

Buildings Architecture History & Culture Towers

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Martin

  • Martin

Published

April 10, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Belfort Sluis
1 Groote Markt
Sluis, 4524 CD
Netherlands
51.308926, 3.38624
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Bizarium

Sluis, Netherlands

miles away

Damme Canal

Damme, Belgium

miles away

The Canada War Museum of Adegem, Belgium

Maldegem, Belgium

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Sluis

Sluis

Netherlands

Places 2

Nearby Places

Bizarium

Sluis, Netherlands

miles away

Damme Canal

Damme, Belgium

miles away

The Canada War Museum of Adegem, Belgium

Maldegem, Belgium

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Sluis

Sluis

Netherlands

Places 2

Related Places

  • Velasca Tower

    Milan, Italy

    Torre Velasca (Velasca Tower)

    A brutalist gem towering over the heart of Milan.

  • London, England

    The Ostler's Hut

    This is London's smallest listed building.

  • The former Wyoming National Bank buildings, known locally as “the onion” and “the egg beater.”

    Casper, Wyoming

    The 'M' Building and Tower

    Locally known as the "Onion” and the "Egg Beater,” Casper’s most recognizable buildings are beloved local landmarks to many, and eyesores to others.

  • Pepperbox Hill Tower

    Salisbury, England

    Pepperbox Hill Tower

    A doorless and windowless folly in England that evokes curiosity over its mysterious origins.

  • London, England

    Byward Tower Hand

    A mysterious suspended hand greets unsuspecting visitors at the Tower of London.

  • Granary in Jankowo up close

    Jankowo, Poland

    Walter Gropius's 1906 Spichlerz

    A Bauhaus co-founder designed this quirky, abandoned granary.

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Allen-Bradley Clock Tower

    This was once the largest four-sided clock in the world (yes, even bigger than Big Ben).

  • Ghanta Ghar

    Jodhpur, India

    Ghanta Ghar

    The clock tower is a prominent landmark in the bustling commercial hub in the heart of Jodhpur, showcasing intricate architecture and cultural significance.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.