Tournai, Belgium

Tournai is one of the two oldest cities in Belgium. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Tournai was built in the first half of the 12th century. It is especially distinguished by a Romanesque nave of extraordinary dimensions, a wealth of sculpture on its capitals and a transept topped by five towers, all precursors of the Gothic style. Notre-Dame cathedral in Tournai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Middle Ages saw the emergence of towns that were independent of the prevalent feudal system. The belfries in the historic County of Flanders and in Wallonia symbolize this new-found independence, and also the links within them between the secular and religious powers. The Belfry in Tournai is Belgium's oldest, dating from 1188. It is amongst the 30 belfries in Flanders and Wallonia that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.