BELFRY


Meaning of BELFRY in English

n.

Bell tower, either freestanding or attached to another structure.

More particularly it refers to the room, usually at the top of such a tower, where the bells and their supporting timberwork are hung. The belfry is a prominent feature of Belgian Gothic architecture, especially in Flanders. The Halles (Market Hall) and belfry in Brugge (late 13th century) is a typical example. The term derives from the medieval siege tower ( berfrei ), a tall wooden structure that could be rolled up to a fortification wall so that the warriors hidden inside could storm the battlements.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.