UNESCO world heritage: carillon culture

Every Fleming has already heard the playing of a carillonneur in some market square, under a belfry or church tower. In 2014, UNESCO recognized Belgian carillon culture as intangible cultural heritage.

The carillon originated around 1500 in the Southern Netherlands and is the oldest musical mass medium in history. Today, the carillon is the largest musical instrument in the world. 

Carillons are set up all over Flanders, in dozens of Belgian cities and towns. There is even a Flemish Carillon Society.

Here and there you can climb a tower and go there to watch the carillon. We were recently in Bergues (French Flanders) and climbed the belfry there. There is a carillon there too. Here are some pictures of that carillon.

From the beginning of April 2022, Messines' St. Nicholas Church was opened to the general public as part of the Horizon 2025 project. You can admire the peace carillon there on your way to the observation platform.

The carillon of the St. Folquinus Church of Ekelsbeke has 23 bells. It can be visited with a bookable guide upon request.

Official website of the Flemish Carillon Society.
Information about the UNESCO recognition of Belgian carillon culture.
List of French carillons in Wikipedia.
Information about the carillon of Ypres.
Program of the carillon of Kortrijk.
Information on the carillon of Bruges.
Plan a visit to the Carillon de Bergues (see also the map of Top.Vlaanderen)
More information on the belfry and carillon of Calais.
Blog on French carillons - Arras.