The Must-Visit Attractions & Things to Do in Bruges
Magnificent Bruges is a tourist's dream. It is the best-preserved medieval town in Belgium, and its breathtakingly beautiful architecture attracts over two million visitors every year.
If you are short on time when traveling in Belgium, Bruges should be your first stop. With its wealth of interesting old buildings and canals, it is the best place to visit in the country for anyone interested in Belgium's history. Tourists strolling through the narrow lanes or boating through the canals immediately fall in love, charmed by the atmosphere of, for many, the most delightful of all cities in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium). Because the center of Bruges is relatively small, even those with only a day to visit can expect to get a good idea of all the main attractions. Essential viewing should include at least the Main Square with the Belfry, Burg Square with the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and a trip down the canals. Plan your visits to this magical city with our list of top attractions and things to do in Bruges. Bruges Belfry Tower (Belfort van Brugge) The south side of the Markt de Bruges (the main square) is dominated by the Market Hall with the Belfry - Bruges' most distinctive landmark - rising above. The Halle was started in 1248 and expanded twice, first in the 14th century and again in the 16th century, and once served as the town's main market square. The building encloses a picturesque courtyard, and the balcony above the entrance was once used by the city fathers to promulgate their statutes to the people gathered below. The 83-meter high belfry is one of the most beautiful bell towers in Belgium and is accessed through the inner courtyard of the Halle. Construction of the bell tower began in 1282, and the octagonal upper part of the coronation was finally completed in 1482. Today, a carillon of 47 bells still hangs in the tower. For the best view of Bruges, you can climb the 366 steps to the top of the tower. Going up, the old Treasure Room, where civic documents are kept behind wrought iron gates, can be visited on the second floor. Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek) presides over the central square known as Burg or Burg Square. The church is famous for the crystal vial kept inside and reputed to contain a drop of Christ's blood brought from the Holy Land by Dietrich of Alsace in 1149 on his return from the Second Crusade. Every year in May, this sacred relic is carried through the streets of Bruges during the Procession of the Holy Blood. The facade of the basilica, with its three flamboyant style arches and gilded statues, was erected between 1529 and 1534. The basilica itself consists of a Romanesque lower chapel and a late Gothic upper chapel, which houses relics of Saint Basil brought from Palestine. by Robert II, Count of Flanders. An elegant spiral staircase leads to the upper chapel (built-in 1480), where every Friday the vial containing the Holy Blood is taken out and presented to the faithful. Bruges Market Sightseeing Tours At the very heart of the city is the Market, the bustling main square of Bruges, surrounded by beautiful buildings from different eras. The eastern side is dominated by the neo-Gothic building Provinciaal Hof, which dates from 1887 and is the seat of the provincial government of West-Vlaanderen. On the west side, occupying the left corner is the beautiful 15th-century brick Huis Bouchoute. Opposite stands the Craenenburg where, in 1488, at the instigation of Ghent, the citizens of Bruges kept the future Habsburg Emperor Maximilian imprisoned for 11 weeks. He was released only after agreeing to respect the authority of the ruling Regency Council and order the withdrawal of all foreign troops. The best way to take in all this architectural finery is to join the throngs of visitors and locals at one of the many cafes on the Market and sit down for a moment to soak up the historic splendor that surrounds you. Bruges by Boat For the most relaxing sightseeing experience in Bruges, the best thing to do is to board one of the sightseeing cruise ships. The boat cruise route passes through the heart of Bruges between the Beginjhof (Beguinage) and Jan van Eyck Square, with great views of the canal architecture all along. Boat trips take place every half hour between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily between March and mid-November. If you're traveling in the depths of winter, check with your accommodation in Bruges, as times change depending on the weather, but expect much less travel. The boats are not covered but provide umbrellas for passengers when it rains. There are five different companies offering boat trips, from five separate piers, all located in the city center, but all offer the same route, same type of boat and same ticket price, you don't have to so any need to choose between them. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance; just show up at the pier and buy your ticket there. Note that in the middle of summer, boat trips are extremely popular. Plan to board the first cruise of the day, when fewer day-trippers are present. Bruges City Hall On the southeast side of the Burg is Bruges' Town Hall (Stadhuis), one of the oldest in Belgium, having been built between 1376 and 1420. The facade of the delicate Gothic building displays the strong vertical accentuation characteristic of the style, with soaring pilasters, three of which terminate in octagonal turrets, separated by tall Gothic arched windows. Statues of the Counts of Flanders from Baldwin Iron Arm fill the 49 niches. Inside, don't miss the great gothic room on the first floor with its beautiful wooden vault, which dates from 1402, and its murals relating the events of the history of the city by A and J de Vriendt (1895- 1900). Liberty of Bruges To the east of Burg Square, the Bruges Tourist Office occupies part of what was, until 1984, the Palace of Justice, built between 1722 and 1727 on the site of the former Palace of Liberty. of Bruges (Paleis van het Brugse Vrije) from where the independent magistrates exercised their jurisdiction over the region. A few fragments of the old building have survived, including the attractive 16th-century facade overlooking the canal at the rear. One or two of the most historic rooms inside are now the Brugse Vrije Museum and can be admired by visitors. Of particular interest are the Schepenzaal (lay magistrates' court), where you can see the famous fireplace designed by the painter Lancelot Blondeel in 1529 and executed in black marble and oak by Guyot de Beaugrant. This magnificent piece of Renaissance craftsmanship is surmounted by an alabaster frieze depicting the story of Susanna and the Elders with carved oak figures of Emperor Charles V and his parents, Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, Mary of Burgundy, and Maximilian. Groeninge Museum Bruges, Belgium Head to the Dijver Canal to visit the Groeninge Museum (Stedelijk Museum voor Schone Kunst), which houses the best art collection in Bruges. In addition to its excellent endowment of old Flemish paintings, the museum also includes a gallery of modern art and a superb collection of views of old Bruges. However, the first five rooms of the museum are the ones that will hold your attention the most, as they contain quite exceptional paintings by Flemish old masters. In room 1 are exhibited two major works by Jan van Eyck: The Madonna and Donor, Canon van der Paele (1436), and the portrait of Margaret van Eyck, the artist's wife, painted when she was 33 years (1439). In-room 3 there are panels illustrating the legend of Saint Ursula and a portrait of Luis Gruuthuse, two famous works by unknown Bruges masters, and the Last Judgment by Hieronymus Bosch is among the paintings in room 5. Bonifacius Bridge Bruges One of the most popular photography spots in Bruges, the St. Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug) is a narrow brick pedestrian bridge crossing the canal between the Church of Our Lady and the Groeninge Museum. Although the bridge is modest in size and is also one of the youngest bridges in the city - built at the beginning of the 20th century - it is famous because its position along the canal offers passers-by views of the quietest canal in the city, as well as superb photos of the Notre-Dame church. In the height of summer, expect a bit of a photo queue at this location. The best way to avoid this is to arrive early in the morning when there are far fewer people. Church of Our Lady Bruges The 112-meter-high spire of the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk) is the tallest in Belgium. Work began on the nave and aisles around 1230, with the outermost aisles and chapels being added in the 14th and 15th centuries. The church houses many art treasures, including a sublime sculpture by Michelangelo, Virgin, and Child (1503-04). The sculpture stands on the altar of the chapel at the bottom of the south aisle. The Calvary at the high altar is by Bernaert van Orley, the Adoration of the Shepherds triptych is by Pieter Pourbus and the Transfiguration of Christ is by Gérard David. Tour the Museums in the Dijver Mansions On the left, at the end of the Dijver canal, stands a fine collection of 15th-century buildings including what was once the Heren van Gruuthuse mansion. Here, in 1471, the fugitive English King Edward IV took refuge. The original "heren" were merchants with a monopoly on the trade-in dried herbs (gruut). Part of the mansion now houses the exceptional Gruuthuse Museum, which houses a superb collection of antiquities and applied art occupying 22 rooms. The laces, sculptures, tapestries, and weapons are particularly noteworthy, as well as the deliciously restored and completely authentic old Flemish kitchen and the dispensary. The Brangwyn Museum, in the 18th century Arentshuis next to the Gruuthusemuseum, features porcelain, pewterware, ceramics, mother-of-pearl wares, and a charming collection of views of old Bruges as well as an exhibition of paintings and drawings by the English artist of Bruges origin Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956). 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