Book Tower: Ghent's Tower of Wisdom

Rising 64 meters above Ghent, the Book Tower, or Boekentoren, is a celebrated landmark and a testament to modernist architecture. Designed by Belgian architect Henry van de Velde in the 1930s, it functions as the central library for Ghent University, housing an impressive collection of over 3 million books, manuscripts, and other materials. Commissioned in 1933, the Book Tower was intended to house the Ghent University Library and various academic institutes. Van de Velde situated the building on the Blandijnberg, the highest point in the city, allowing him to create Ghent's 'fourth tower'. Constructed from concrete using sliding shuttering, the tower's design incorporates a Greek cross shape, symbolizing the connection between time and space. The Book Tower's interior is as remarkable as its exterior. The design merges the tower’s vertical lines with horizontal elements found in open books and reading room layouts. The building includes a main reading room and a manuscript room. A bronze fox terrier sculpture, created by Greta van Puyenbroeck, sits atop the Book Tower, adding a touch of whimsy to the structure. The Belvedere offers panoramic views of the city. Following a restoration project led by Robbrecht en Daem, the Book Tower has been revitalized as a vibrant hub for students and researchers. The restoration included expanding the book depository with subterranean spaces, overhauling technical installations, and replacing the concrete layer on the facades.