Belfry Sluis

The Belfry of Sluis
Sluis has the only belfry in the Netherlands! This medieval Flemish tower with bells was used for important events. Today it is a museum where you can learn everything about the history of Sluis. You will also learn about the life of teacher, archivist and dictionary maker Johan Hendrik van Dale. He was born in Sluis.

And what should certainly not be missed when visiting the belfry, is the ascent of the tower. Once at the top you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
*Currently closed due to corona.
Source Eline Ocke.

Get to know the special story of Jantje van Sluis, the hero of Sluis

Jantje van Sluis is the nickname of a colored wooden statue from 1424, which was made by Jacob van Huse and which stands in the belfry in Sluis and strikes the clock at set times.

There are various folk tales about the origin of this statue. A central story element is that Sluis was conquered by Prince Maurits in 1604 and that the Spaniards wanted to regain control of the city. In 1606 the time had come during the Attack on Sluis (1606). The Spaniards devised a ruse, fielding an army at the East Gate, while a mock maneuver had to take place on the south side to divert attention. At the agreed time, when the clock struck, the attack was to be launched.

However, the clock did not strike, because the clock-teller, nicknamed Jantje van Sluis, had just been to the fair that day and had drunk one beer too many. He had his son and his nephew wind the clock. They did it too firmly, so that the clock mechanism refused to work. As a result, the clock did not strike. The Spaniards thought of betrayal and did not dare to take the city. Still, several attempts were made to take the city. A number of guards from the East Gate were killed because the explosive charges that were supposed to unlock the drawbridges exploded on their arrival.

Jantje van Sluis has been the hero of Sluis ever since.

The 'pride' of Sluis is the Belfry. You can see the Belfort tower from afar, it indicates that Sluis has a rich history.

The Belfry was built in 1375 following the example of other Belfries in Flanders, such as in Ghent and Bruges. The higher the tower, the greater the power. It is a rectangular building in 6 Gothic style with a large built-in tower. The tower has 4 projecting corner towers.

The tower was the symbol of the freedom of the city and also an ideal vantage point for the city guards.
In 1393 the town hall was destroyed by fire. The year 1396 above the entrance is the date of the reconstruction of the town hall. In 1424, the artist Jacob van Huse makes a bell man "Jantje van Sluis". This statue was placed in the tower and strikes the time on the clocks with its hammer. Jantje is the hero of Sluis, why? Be sure to read this beautiful legend elsewhere on this site.

During the Second World War, on October 11, 1944, the town hall was destroyed and practically razed to the ground. It was then rebuilt in its original state and put back into use in 1960.

The council chamber of the Belfry is beautiful and exudes splendor, history and wealth. Something that immediately catches the eye is the wrought iron gate from the 18th century. The coats of arms decorations on the beams belong to people who have been of historical significance to the city of Sluis. Such as the Counts of Flanders, the Dukes of Burgundy and Prince Maurits.

The basement of the Belfry now serves as an exhibition space, but in the past very different (scary) scenes took place here. Part of the basement served as a pain room. The rack is still there. Torture was performed on this. The basement was also used for various purposes, such as a storage room for artillery and rifles and war equipment, drying fishing nets and as a meat hall.
The Belfry is steeped in history. Boring? no! The Belfry is now an interactive museum. On all floors there is plenty to discover and experience about, among other things, the history of Sluis and J.H. of Dale and language. In the tower room you can test your knowledge with a quiz, play the dialect game, listen to Jantje van Sluis and climb the Belfort tower.

The Belfry is open to visitors, opening times and information can be found at belfortsluis.nl