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The foundation stone was laid in 1428. Major renovations were carried out between 1567 and 1572. A painting by Hacke from 1716 also shows an inner courtyard and a small chapel tower. The construction of the third Neo-Gothic town hall took place between 1875 and 1880 according to plans by the Bruges architect Louis Delacenserie, but during the reconstruction (1923) after the First World War, the architects reverted to architectural elements derived from the regional Flemish Renaissance style. The new belfry tower rose in the courtyard as a typically Flemish and medieval symbol of urban freedom.
Belgian families were allowed to choose, whether they wanted their son to be buried on the battlefield, or at their home. Many people chose the grave near their home, resulting in the rather low amount of Belgian graves. This is the biggest remaining Belgian cemetery.