The Broel Towers—known in Dutch as the Broeltorens—are the last remaining examples of medieval military architecture in the city of Kortrijk, where they are among its most famous landmarks.
Galerie photos
Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History
The two towers are remnants of the city’s medieval fortifications, which were destroyed during several wars. They are connected by a bridge spanning the Lys River, which had to be rebuilt after each of the world wars.
The oldest tower, the south tower—Speyentoren—was built in 1385 to control the bridge over the Lys and was part of the castle of the Counts of Flanders. The second tower, to the north—Inghelburgtoren—dates from the xve century (1415) and was built to provide rudimentary artillery defense. This is why it is sometimes called Armorietorre. The Broel Bridge is adorned with a statue of John of Nepomuk, the patron saint of drowning victims.
The medieval city walls were demolished by Louis XIV in 1684, then during the xviiith century, and finally during the two World Wars.
