Carillons, musical instruments of bells in the percussion family, are found throughout Belgium. Several institutions maintain registries on the location and statistics of carillons. Some registries specialize in counting specific types of carillons. For example, the War Memorial and Peace Carillons registry counts instruments which serve as war memorials or were built in the name of promoting world peace (and tracks five in Belgium);[1] the World Carillon Federation [nl] counts carillons throughout the country, along with the rest of the world.
Two Belgian carillon associations – the Flemish Carillon Association and the Walloon Carillon Association – count carillons in their respective regions. According to their registries, there are 94 carillons in Belgium: 70 in the Flemish Region, 22 in the Walloon Region, and 2 in the Brussels Capital Region. They are distributed across 77 different cities; several are located within the same city, and two are even within the same building – atSt. Rumbold's CathedralinMechelen. The population has a wide range in total weights, with bourdons spanning between 30 and 8,180 kilograms (66 and 18,034 lb). They also span a wide range of notes, from 21 (which the Flemish association considers a carillon despite failing its definition that requires at least 23[2]) up to 64. Many carillons were constructed over several centuries by several bellfounders; a minority are constructed entirely by a single bellfounder. The majority of carillons are transposing instruments, and often transpose such that the lowest note on the keyboard is B♭orC.
According to the World Carillon Federation [nl], the carillons in Belgium account for 14 percent of the world's total[3] and is consequently considered one of the "great carillon countries" along with the Netherlands and the United States.[4]
Despite not being a part of their respective regions, both the Flemish Carillon Association and the Walloon Carillon Association track the number of carillons located in the Brussels Capital Region, of which there are two. The larger both in terms of weight and number of bells is located at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. The smaller is located at the Palace of the Nation, Belgium's federal parliament building. Constructed in the 20th century, these carillons are much newer relative to others in the country.[5][6] Brussels once had nine carillons in 1541; none survived past 1914.[7]
Location | City | Bells | Bourdon weight | Total weight | Range and transposition |
Bellfounder(s) | Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kg | lb | kg | lb | |||||||
Palace of the Nation | Brussels | 37 | 254 | 560 | 1,353 | 2,983 | Up12 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 1985–88 | [6][8] | |
Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula | 49 | 3,164 | 6,975 | 15,797 | 34,826 | None (concert pitch) |
Royal Eijsbouts 1958–75 | [6][9] |
The Flemish Carillon Association maintains a registry of carillons in the Flemish Region. According to the organization, there are 70 carillons located in Flanders. They are distributed across 56 different cities; several are located within the same city, and two are even within the same building – atSt. Rumbold's CathedralinMechelen.[2] The carillons have a wide range in total weights, with bourdons spanning between 39 and 8,180 kilograms (86 and 18,034 lb). They also span a wide range of notes, from 21 (which the association considers a carillon despite failing its definition that requires at least 23[2]) up to 64. Many carillons were constructed over several centuries by several bellfounders; a minority are constructed entirely by a single bellfounder. The majority of carillons are transposing instruments, and often transpose such that the lowest note on the keyboard is B♭orC.[5]
Location | City | Bells | Bourdon weight | Total weight | Range and transposition |
Bellfounder(s) | Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kg | lb | kg | lb | |||||||
Schepenhuis | Aalst | 52 | 628 | 1,385 | 3,827 | 8,437 | Up12 semitones |
Lokeren 1958 | [10][7] | |
Aarschot Peace Carillon [nl] Church of Our Lady [nl; fr] |
Aarschot | 51 | — | 5,347 | 11,788 | Up5 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 2018 | [11][12] [13][14] | ||
Cathedral of Our Lady | Antwerp | 49 | 4,963 | 10,942 | 27,648 | 60,953 | Down 3 semitones |
|
[15][7] | |
St. Catherine's Church [nl] | 47 | 250 | 550 | 1,820 | 4,010 | Up12 semitones |
|
[16] | ||
District House of Borgerhout [nl] | 47 | 1,056 | 2,328 | 5,531 | 12,194 | Up5 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 1977 | [17] | ||
St. Martin's Church [nl] (Open-air carillon) |
37 | 270 | 600 | 1,808 | 3,986 | Up12 semitones |
Petit & Fritsen 1968 | [18] | ||
Belfry of Bruges | Bruges | 47 | 5,381 | 11,863 | 27,535 | 60,704 | Down 5 semitones |
|
[19][7] | |
Damme City Hall [nl] | Damme | 39 | 143 | 315 | 1,168 | 2,575 | Up 16 semitones |
|
[20] | |
Church of Our Lady [nl] | Deinze | 48 | 784 | 1,728 | 4,417 | 9,738 | Up7 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 1988–94 | [21] | |
Belfry of Dendermonde [nl; fr] | Dendermonde | 49 | 1,225 | 2,701 | 6,800 | 15,000 | Up5 semitones |
|
[22][23] | |
Saint Aldegondis Church | 21 | 39 | 86 | 381 | 840 | Up24 semitones |
|
[24] | ||
Church of Saint-Sulpice [nl; fr] | Diest | 47 | 592 | 1,305 | 3,190 | 7,030 | Up8 semitones |
|
[25][7] | |
Belfry of Diksmuide [nl] | Diksmuide | 30 | 160 | 350 | 1,100 | 2,400 | Up 16 semitones |
Michiels 1935 | [26] | |
St. Martin's Church [nl] | Genk | 52 | 2,339 | 5,157 | 11,577 | 25,523 | Up2 semitones |
Petit & Fritsen 1960 | [27] | |
St Bartholomew's Church [nl] | Geraardsbergen | 49 | 1,800 | 4,000 | 8,787 | 19,372 | Up3 semitones |
|
[28] | |
Belfry of Ghent | Ghent | 54 | 6,050 | 13,340 | 30,129 | 66,423 | Down 3 semitones |
|
[29][7] | |
Basilica of Saint Servatius [nl] | Grimbergen | 49 | 1,284 | 2,831 | 7,017 | 15,470 | Up5 semitones |
|
[30] | |
Saint Gorik Church [nl] | Haaltert | 44 | 1,896 | 4,180 | 5,435 | 11,982 | Up 16 semitones |
Michiels 1946–60 | [31] | |
Basilica of Saint Martin [nl; fr] | Halle | 54 | 3,500 | 7,700 | 12,900 | 28,400 | Up7 semitones |
|
[32] | |
St. Salvator Church [nl] | Harelbeke | 50 | 1,800 | 4,000 | 7,179 | 15,827 | Up7 semitones |
Michiels 1959 | [33] | |
St. Quentin Cathedral | Hasselt | 53 | 3,175 | 7,000 | 10,980 | 24,210 | Up4 semitones |
|
[34][7][35] | |
— | Vernimmen Garden | Herent | 28 | 200 | 440 | 1,100 | 2,400 | — | Van Aerschodt 1912–14 | [36] |
Belfry of Herentals [nl; fr] | Herentals | 49 | 485 | 1,069 | 2,883 | 6,356 | Up 1 semitone |
|
[37][7] | |
Schepenhuis [nl] | Herzele | 28 | 272 | 600 | 1,660 | 3,660 | Up12 semitones |
Horacantus 1952 | [38] | |
St Catherine's Church [nl] | Hoogstraten | 50 | 1,823 | 4,019 | 11,777 | 25,964 | Up3 semitones |
|
[39] | |
St. Hilonius Church [nl] | Izegem | 47 | 2,109 | 4,650 | 10,064 | 22,187 | Up 1 semitone |
|
[40] | |
Belfry of Kortrijk | Kortrijk | 48 | 310 | 680 | 1,945 | 4,288 | Up11 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 1994 | [41][7] | |
Saint Martin's Church | 49 | 5,060 | 11,160 | 18,490 | 40,760 | None (concert pitch) |
|
[42] | ||
Saint Martin's Church [nl] | Lede | 24 | 54 | 119 | 800 | 1,800 | Up12 semitones |
Michiels 1952–55 | [43] | |
Saint Gertrude's Abbey [nl] | Leuven | 49 | 3,750 | 8,270 | 15,061 | 33,204 | Up 1 semitone |
|
[44][7] | |
St. Peter's Church | 49 | 4,280 | 9,440 | 17,500 | 38,600 | Up 1 semitone |
|
[45][7] | ||
Academic libraries in Leuven | 63 | 7,096 | 15,644 | 35,349 | 77,931 | Down 4 semitones |
|
[46][47] | ||
Park Abbey | 40 | 2,132 | 4,700 | 10,616 | 23,404 | Up 1 semitone |
Royal Eijsbouts 2018 | [48][49] | ||
Church of St. John the Baptist | 45 | 189 | 417 | 1,333 | 2,939 | Up14 semitones |
|
[50] | ||
Saint Gummarus Church [nl; fr] | Lier | 52 | 7,638 | 16,839 | 19,781 | 43,610 | Down 2 semitones |
|
[51][7] | |
Saint Laurentius Church [nl] | Lokeren | 49 | 3,660 | 8,070 | 16,790 | 37,020 | — | Horacantus 1955–56 | [52] | |
Church of Saint Peter-in-Chains [nl] | Lommel | 63 | 3,263 | 7,194 | 15,493 | 34,156 | None (concert pitch) |
|
[53] | |
St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Old carillon) |
Mechelen | 49 | 8,000 | 18,000 | 36,000 | 79,000 | Down 4 semitones |
|
[54][7] | |
St. Rumbold's Cathedral (New carillon) |
49 | 8,180 | 18,030 | 39,244 | 86,518 | Down 5 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 1981 | [55] | ||
Church of Our Lady-across-the-Dyle [nl; fr] | 50 | 2,217 | 4,888 | 9,123 | 20,113 | Up5 semitones |
|
[56][57] | ||
Court of Busleyden [nl; fr] | 49 | 420 | 930 | 2,541 | 5,602 | Up12 semitones |
Michiels 1953 | [58][59] | ||
St. Martin's Church | Meise | 56 | 905 | 1,995 | 4,615 | 10,174 | Up7 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 2001 | [60] | |
Belfry of Menen [nl] | Menen | 49 | 770 | 1,700 | 4,764 | 10,503 | Up7 semitones |
|
[61] | |
Saints Peter und Paul Church [nl] | Mol | 49 | 3,240 | 7,140 | 16,504 | 36,385 | None (concert pitch) |
|
[62][63] | |
Postel Abbey | 49 | 382 | 842 | 2,187 | 4,822 | Up12 semitones |
|
[64][65] | ||
Church of Saint Peter-in-Chains | Nederbrakel | 49 | 1,996 | 4,400 | 9,645 | 21,264 | Up3 semitones |
|
[66] | |
Church of Our Lady [nl] | Nieuwpoort | 67[a] | 1,407 | 3,102 | 8,976 | 19,789 | Up5 semitones |
Michiels 1952 | [67][68] | |
Festivities and Culture Palace [nl] | Ostend | 49 | 2,497 | 5,505 | 12,393 | 27,322 | Up2 semitones |
Paccard 1964 | [69] | |
St. Walburga Church [nl] | Oudenaarde | 49 | 3,230 | 7,120 | 15,500 | 34,200 | None (concert pitch) |
Petit & Fritsen 1967 | [70] | |
St. Trudo Church [nl] | Peer | 64 | 3,705 | 8,168 | 17,234 | 37,994 | None (concert pitch) |
Petit & Fritsen 1951–99 | [71] | |
Saint Nicholas Church [nl] | Pelt | 48 | 1,060 | 2,340 | 3,564 | 7,857 | Up9 semitones |
|
[72][73] | |
St. Bertin's Church [nl] | Poperinge | 47 | 800 | 1,800 | 4,380 | 9,660 | — |
|
[74] | |
Saint Peter's Church | Puurs | 50 | 505 | 1,113 | 3,890 | 8,580 | (Range not available) Up9 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 2017 | [75][76] | |
Saint Michael's Church [nl] | Roeselare | 49 | 890 | 1,960 | 5,154 | 11,363 | Up7 semitones |
|
[77][78] | |
Saint Hermes' Church [nl] | Ronse | 49 | 2,355 | 5,192 | 12,211 | 26,921 | — |
|
[79] | |
Basilica of Our Lady | Scherpenheuvel-Zichem | 49 | 2,812 | 6,199 | 13,200 | 29,100 | — |
|
[80] | |
Sint-Niklaas City Hall [nl] | Sint-Niklaas | 49 | 850 | 1,870 | 5,200 | 11,500 | — |
|
[81] | |
Belfry of Sint-Truiden [nl; fr] | Sint-Truiden | 50 | 1,800 | 4,000 | 6,000 | 13,000 | — |
|
[82][7] | |
Basilica of Our Lady of Kortenbos [nl; fr] | 27 | 2,365 | 5,214 | 5,252 | 11,579 | — | Michiels 1947–53 | [83] | ||
Saint Rumolds Church [nl] | Steenokkerzeel | 49 | 1,416 | 3,122 | 7,185 | 15,840 | — |
|
[84] | |
Temse City Hall [nl] | Temse | 38 | 509 | 1,122 | 3,076 | 6,781 | — |
|
[85] | |
Belfry of Tielt [nl; fr] | Tielt | 35 | 105 | 231 | 831 | 1,832 | Up9 semitones |
Dumery [fr] 1772–1827 | [86][7][87] | |
Saint Germain's Church [nl; fr] | Tienen | 54 | 1,529 | 3,371 | 7,071 | 15,589 | — |
|
[88][7] | |
Basilica of Our Lady | Tongeren | 49 | 1,593 | 3,512 | 10,384 | 22,893 | (Range not available) Up2 semitones |
|
[89][7][90] | |
Saint Peter's Church [nl] | Turnhout | 50 | 1,105 | 2,436 | 4,325 | 9,535 | — |
|
[91][7] | |
Saint Nicholas Church [nl] | Veurne | 48 | 1,794 | 3,955 | 9,185 | 20,249 | — | Michiels 1955–60 | [92] | |
Saint Amand's Church [nl] | Wingene | 49 | 738 | 1,627 | 4,189 | 9,235 | Up8 semitones |
|
[93][94] | |
Ypres Cloth Hall | Ypres | 49 | 2,494 | 5,498 | 11,892 | 26,217 | Up2 semitones |
|
[95][96] | |
Church of Our Lady of the Ascension [nl] | Zottegem | 49 | 1,338 | 2,950 | 6,828 | 15,053 | Up3 semitones |
|
[97][98] | |
St. Leonard's Church | Zoutleeuw | 39 | 140 | 310 | 1,225 | 2,701 | — | Horacantus 1963 | [99] |
The Walloon Carillon Association maintains a registry of carillons in the Walloon Region. According to the organization, there are 22 carillons located in Wallonia. They are distributed across 20 different cities; three are within the same city – Liège. The carillons have a wide range in total weights, with bourdons spanning between 30 and 4,070 kilograms (66 and 8,973 lb). They also span a wide range of notes, from 25 up to 55. Many carillons were constructed over several centuries by several bellfounders; a minority are constructed entirely by a single bellfounder. The majority of carillons are transposing instruments, and often transpose such that the lowest note on the keyboard is B♭ or C.[6]
Location | City | Bells | Bourdon weight | Total weight | Range and transposition |
Bellfounder(s) | Ref. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kg | lb | kg | lb | |||||||
St. Julian's Church [fr; nl] | Ath | 49 | 4,070 | 8,970 | 11,053 | 24,368 | Up4 semitones |
|
[100] | |
St. Gaugericus' Church [fr] | Braine-le-Comte | 47 | 805 | 1,775 | 4,370 | 9,630 | Up6 semitones |
Petit & Fritsen 1967 | [101] | |
Belfry of Charleroi [nl] | Charleroi | 47 | 3,000 | 6,600 | — | Up12 semitones |
Michiels 1936 | [6] | ||
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul [nl] | Chimay | 26 | 30 | 66 | — | Up 26 semitones |
Dumery [fr] 1755–63 | [6] | ||
Notre Dame de Dinant | Dinant | 50 | 260 | 570 | 1,951 | 4,301 | Up24 semitones |
Royal Eijsbouts 2008–14 | [6][102] | |
St. Nicolas Church [nl] | Enghien | 51 | 2,750 | 6,060 | — | Up5 semitones |
|
[6] | ||
Church of the Ascension | Florenville | 49 | 765 | 1,687 | — | Up10 semitones |
Michiels 1955 | [6] | ||
Belfry of Gembloux [fr; nl] | Gembloux | 50 | 560 | 1,230 | — | Up10 semitones |
|
[6] | ||
Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Huy [fr; nl] | Huy | 49 | — | — | Up6 semitones |
|
[6][7] | |||
St. Joseph's Church | La Louvière | 47 | 300 | 660 | — | Up24 semitones |
Michiels 1957–58 | [6] | ||
Liège Cathedral | Liège | 49 | 4,581 | 10,099 | — | Up 15 semitones |
|
[6][7] | ||
Church of Saint John the Evangelist | 34 | 570 | 1,260 | — | — |
|
[6] | |||
Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew | 50 | 380 | 840 | — | (Range not available) Up10 semitones |
Vanden Gheyn 1774 | [6][103] | |||
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul [nl] | Malmedy | 40 | 400 | 880 | — | Up10 semitones |
|
[6] | ||
Belfry of Mons | Mons | 49 | 5,500 | 12,100 | — | Down 3 semitones |
|
[6][7] | ||
St Aubin's Cathedral | Namur | 47 | 2,600 | 5,700 | — | Up14 semitones |
|
[6][7] | ||
Collegiate Church of Saint Gertrude | Nivelles | 47 | 3,200 | 7,100 | — | Down 3 semitones |
|
[6] | ||
Collegiate Church of St. Vincent [fr; nl] | Soignies | 47[b] | 967 | 2,132 | — | Up14 semitones |
Petit & Fritsen 1963–64 | [6] | ||
Belfry of Thuin | Thuin | 25 | 335 | 739 | — | Up 23 semitones |
|
[6] | ||
Belfry of Tournai | Tournai | 55 | 5,000 | 11,000 | — | Up12 semitones |
|
[6][7] | ||
Church of Our Lady of the Récollets [fr; nl] | Verviers | 40 | 595 | 1,312 | — | Up20 semitones |
Michiels 1937 | [6] | ||
Saint John the Baptist Church, Wavre [fr] | Wavre | 50 | 1,820 | 4,010 | — | Up19 semitones |
|
[6][104] |
We spreken over een beiaard (of carillon) als er tenminste 23 (2 octaven) ten opzichte van elkaar gestemde bronzen klokken aanwezig zijn die handmatig worden bespeeld met behulp van een stokkenklavier waardoor expressiviteit mogelijk wordt. [We speak of a carillon if there are at least 23 (2 octaves) bronze bells tuned relative to each other that are played manually with the help of a baton keyboard, allowing expressiveness.]
... and the three 'great' carillon countries – the Netherlands, the United States and Belgium – are responsible for almost 70% of all carillons worldwide.