Toreken (The Tower), Ghent

The Tower (Toreken), also known as the House of the Corporation of Tanners, Huidevettershuis (Skinners' House), or Meerminne (Mermaid), is a notable Gothic-style building located at the corner of Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market Square) in Ghent, Belgium. This historic structure, the oldest in the area, has served various roles since its origins in the 14th century.

Originally a wooden structure where fur and sheepskin workers traded their goods, the building was purchased in 1422 and upgraded to a stone house in 1450, using Balegem stone. In 1483, a distinctive watchtower was added, crowned with a weather vane in the form of a mermaid named Melusine, holding a mirror. The tower also houses the Maria bell, cast by Joris Waghenens at the Mechelen bell foundry and installed in 1511.

The Tower's architecture is characterized by its three-bay façade along Kammerstraat, which features a stepped gable with small square windows and stone mullions. The façade facing Vrijdagmarkt has four bays with large stone cross-windows, topped by a slate roof adorned with three levels of small triangular skylights. A cylindrical staircase turret prominently marks the corner of the building, adding to its unique appearance.

Following the decline of guild power under Emperor Charles V, the property was sold to private individuals in 1542. It was classified as a historical monument in 1943 and has been listed in the inventory of the real estate heritage of the Flemish Region. After extensive restoration in 1982, the Maria Bell was returned to its original place in the Tower by the local museum.

Today, the Tower is owned by the City of Ghent and serves as the home of the Poetry Center, continuing its legacy as a significant historical and cultural landmark in the city.