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The carillon is located in the Belfry of Ghent. The construction of the tower commenced in 1314, but wars and other troubles put a regular halt to the proceedings. The bell chamber and spire were finally completed in 1377 and the tower was crowned with a gilded dragon, symbolising the city's patron saint and weighing 400 kilos. After all, the belfry housed the statutes and charters safeguarding the city's freedom and rights. The belfry also served as an observation post from which city guards alarmed the people of fire and other disasters. The Klokke Roeland (Roeland bell), which was cast in 1324 and whose duty it was to warn the Ghent population when the enemy drew closer, to announce executions, important visitors, etc. was hauled into the tower in 1377 and from then on rang every hour.
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