One of the city's most prominent symbols,[1] the belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other dangers.

The octagonal upper stage of the belfry was added between 1483 and 1487, and capped with a wooden spire bearing an image of Saint Michael, banner in hand and dragon underfoot.

The spire was never replaced again, thus making the current height of the building somewhat lower than in the past; but an openwork stone parapet in Gothic Revival style was added to the rooftop in 1822.

The bells in the tower regulated the lives of the city dwellers, announcing the time, fire alarms, work hours, and a variety of social, political, and religious events.

Starting from 1604, the annual accounts record the employment of a carillonneur to play songs during Sundays, holidays and market days.