Campaniles and bell towers have been important to European history. In the lower countries of Europe, including present-day Belgium and the Netherlands, bell towers often had many purposes. They were frequently "used for striking the hour and warning citizens of fire, flood, or invasion." Their importance in the everyday lives of citizens was constant and often saved several people from the disasters that so often struck these regions during the Middle Ages. As the years progressed, however, these simple bell towers gradually became more and more ornate, and the Catholic Church became the primary source of construction funds. Because of this fact, many of the European campaniles that still stand today are closely associated with a church in the area. These wondrous structures were celebrated for centuries because of their visual beauty and musical nature, and they stood as symbols of the might and success of the Catholic Church during this time period.