Broel Towers, Gothic fortified towers in Kortrijk, Belgium
The Broel Towers are two stone buildings made of limestone and sandstone that span the Lys River and define Kortrijk's skyline. Each tower has its own shape and function, with the solid bridge connecting them for hundreds of years.
The southern Speyetoren was built in 1385 to watch river traffic and control trade routes. Thirty years later the northern Ingelborchtoren followed in 1415, serving as a weapons store and strengthening the city's defenses.
The towers take their names from their original roles, one watching river traffic and the other storing weapons. Today visitors walk across the bridge between them and see how these structures shaped the city's medieval identity.
The towers can only be entered with a guide, allowing visitors to learn more about the structures inside. It is best to check ahead for tour times since they do not run every day.
A statue of John of Nepomuk stands on the bridge between the towers and fell into the Lys River multiple times during wartime. Today it remains there as a reminder of the site's turbulent past and resilience.
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