Built in the early 13th century as a replacement for an earlier Romanesque church, next to the old trade centre of Ghent, the Korenmarkt. The church was used by the guild members who carried out their business nearby, and the guilds added their own chapels to the sides of the church in the 14th and 15th centuries. The central tower served as an observation and bell tower until the neighbouring Belfry of Ghent was built. These two towers, along with Saint Bavo Cathedral tower, still form the famous medieval skyline of the city centre. After centuries of growing serious deterioration, restoration has taken place since 1900, and continues today.