The tower is nearly 300 feet tall and dominates the medieval centre of the city.
Construction began in 1313 and it was completed in 1380. The upper parts of the building have been rebuilt several times to accommodate the growing number of bells. A cast iron spire was placed on the tower in 1851 but was demolished between in the early 1900s and replaced by the current stone spire which was inspired by an original design from the 14th century that was never implemented. The tower is also topped with a gilt dragon, cast in 1377.
The Belfry became the watchtower in 1442 when the city's watchmen moved there from the tower of the St Nicolas church. Together with the city trumpet players and the bell-ringers they formed the 'Men of Ghent' and watched over the city for fire, which was a big danger to the city in those times. The alarm bell Roland, which was installed in the Belfry around 1325, used to warn the citizens of an approaching enemy, or a battle won. From 1378, as the city grew larger and busier, it was also used as the hourly bell. Because the loud hourly chiming came on suddenly, it was decided that there should be signals announcing it on smaller bells. This was why carillons evolved. This Belfry's carillon gradually expanded until there were 53 bells in 1982. In 1993 a last bell finally completed the carillon.
On December 4, 1999 the Belfry of Ghent was included in the Unesco World Heritage list, together with 29 belfries in Flanders and Wallonia.