The Boekentoren, (Dutch for Book Tower) is a famous building located in Ghent, Belgium, designed by the Belgian architect Henry Van de Velde. It currently houses 3 million books (september 2006) of the Ghent University library. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 1187 KB) Deze afbeelding toont de zuidwestelijke kant van het boekentoren. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1536x2048, 1187 KB) Deze afbeelding toont de zuidwestelijke kant van het boekentoren. ... Image File history File links Blandijn_boekentoren_gent. ... Image File history File links Blandijn_boekentoren_gent. ... Gent at Night Ghent (IPA: ; Gent in Dutch; Gand in French, formerly Gaunt in English) is a city and a municipality located in Flanders, Belgium. ... Architect at his drawing board, 1893 An architect is a person involved in the planning, designing and oversight of a buildings construction. ... Henry Van de Velde (3 April 1863 - 15 October 1957) was a Belgian painter, architect and interior designer. ... Ghent University (in Dutch, Universiteit Gent, abbreviated UGent) is one of the three large Flemish universities. ...

Although the tower is only 64 metres high, it makes a huge impression as it is located on the highest point of the city called de Blandijnberg. Van de Velde designed it in 1933 to be the fourth tower of the city completing the famous three towers of the Middle Ages: the Saint-Nicolas Church, the Belfry and the Saint Bavo Cathedral. Together with these 3 towers, the so called "Tower of Wisdom" helped Ghent realising the dream the town had since it hosted the World's Fair in 1913 of creating a "Parade of Towers". 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... St. ... Belfry of Ghent The 91-meter-high belfry of Ghent is one of three medieval towers that overlook the old city center of Ghent, Belgium, the other two belonging to Saint Bavo Cathedral and Saint Nicholas Church. ... The Saint Bavo Cathedral (also known as Sint-Baafs Cathedral, or the Dutch Sint Baafskathedraal) is the seat of the diocese of Ghent. ... A Worlds Fair is any of various large expositions held since the mid-19th century. ...

During the Second World War the tower was taken by the German army because of the great city view they had over there. On the top floor (the belvedere) stands a pool table. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead... Army (From Latin armata (act of arming) via Old French armée) can, in some countries, refer to any armed force. ... Belvedere in Italian literally means fair view. ... Categories: Sports stubs | Billiards ...

Currently fund is being raised for the necessary restoration. Fund may refer to Funding, or providing capital. ...

The Belvedere of the book tower has been nominated by the Flemish Television Centre VRT for their program "Monumentenstrijd". Translated this means "Battle between Monuments" and was based on the popular BBC show Restoration (television), which had many viewers in Belgium as well. A belvedère is an observation post on the roof with an immense panorama and a popular feature in large scale public buildings. Belvedere in Italian literally means fair view. ... The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep, or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders (northern part of Belgium). ... Restoration was a 2003 BBC television series in which viewers chose which of the United Kingdoms most important but neglected buildings that were nominated were to be awarded a Heritage Lottery Grant of £3m. ...

For more information on the Book Tower, visit the dutch page of Wikipedia:

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External links

• The Boekentoren on the site of the University library
• the site of the VRT show Monumentenstrijd