Boekentoren, University library tower in Ghent, Belgium
Description
The Boekentoren is a modern library building at Ghent University that rises about 64 meters high. The structure contains twenty floors above ground and four levels below, housing roughly 46 kilometers of printed materials on its shelves and in storage.
History
Belgian architect Henry van de Velde designed this concrete structure in 1933 as a symbol of modern university architecture. During World War II, the German Army occupied the building, recognizing its strategic position overlooking the city.
Culture
The tower takes its name from its purpose: it was built to house knowledge, not to ring bells like Ghent's other historic towers. The building has become woven into the daily rhythm of the city, drawing visitors curious about how a university preserves its treasures.
Practical
The building underwent major restoration work starting in 2012, with underground storage facilities created to manage the collection more efficiently. Visitors should know that access to certain areas may be limited, so it is worth checking ahead before planning your visit.
Did you know?
Since 2018, a bronze statue of a fox terrier has crowned the top of the tower, marking this modernist structure against the Ghent skyline. This unexpected artwork gives the otherwise serious academic building a playful and quirky personality.
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