Barriers have been temporarily installed at the base of the Charleroi belfry and a safety net is expected to soon surround it to protect passers-by from potential small fragments of falling concrete, the City of Charleroi confirmed on Wednesday.
The building, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, has no structural or stability issues, according to the city. However, the surface concrete has become porous in certain areas, causing it to weaken.
The site is therefore in need of repair. The City of Charleroi announced that it would soon discuss the issue with the Walloon Heritage Agency as part of their regular communications, with the goal of planning medium-term work.
The Charleroi belfry was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the late 1990s, alongside several other Belgian belfries.
