Schepenhuis

13th-century Aldermen's House, the oldest in the Low Countries

The Schepenhuis (Aldermen's House) on the Grote Markt is the oldest surviving town hall in the Low Countries, with roots in the 13th century. The Belfry attached to it is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the broader "Belfries of Belgium and France" listing.

The building is no longer used as a town hall but houses temporary exhibitions and a small museum on Aalst's history. The Belfry can be climbed in summer for a view over the rooftops and out toward the Dender.

things to do sight
A story
The original wooden Schepenhuis burned down in 1360 and was rebuilt in stone — the front you see today is the result of further reworking in the 16th and 19th centuries. The attached Belfry was a status symbol, signalling that Aalst was an independent town with its own bell-controlled time.

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