Bruges Attractions
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Belfry
(Markt)
The 272ft tall Belfry in Bruges is undoubtedly its most famous landmark and cultural symbol. A World Heritage Site, the tower offers a beautiful panoramic view of Bruges and the surrounding countryside.
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Burg
Surrounding the square known as the Burg, are some of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Chief among these are the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Town Hall, and the Old Recorder's House.
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Groeninge Museum
(Dijver)
An exquisite collection of Old Flemish Paintings can be found at the Groeninge Museum in Bruges. The Museum exhibits a gallery of modern art as well as an extensive collection of views of Old Bruges.
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Markt
Bruges Markt is located in the heart of the city. The main square in Bruges, Markt is surrounded by a collection of buildings dating back to various time periods in history.
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Memlingmuseum
(Sint-Jansspitaal)
The Memlingmuseum in Bruges is aptly named for it primarily showcases works of art by Hans Memling. The museum also exhibits antiques and works of other Flemish masters.
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Sint-Jansspitaal
(Dijver)
Founded in the 12th Century, Sint-Jansspitaal is the oldest building in Bruges. Inside this ancient hospital-museum visitors can learn more about the old hospital's history.
Townscape
With its wealth of interesting old buildings and its canals Bruges still retains a medieval air, more so perhaps than anywhere else in Belgium. Anyone taking a walk through the narrow streets or a boat trip on the canals falls immediately under its spell, charmed by the atmosphere of what is for many the most delightful of all the cities of Flanders. This together with its remarkable state of preservation makes Bruges a tourist destination almost without rival in Europe.
The style of the medieval brick houses is thoroughly distinctive. Above many of the windows are recessed shallow arches, and the windows themselves are often found bracketed together by a continuous cill running the length of the frontage.
Equally distinctive of Bruges are the godshuizen, almshouses for the elderly and infirm paid for by the guilds or in some cases prosperous burghers. Most are groups of whitewashed brick houses with a communal entrance gate and janitor's window. Examples can be seen in e.g. Gloeribusstraat, Moerstraat, Zwarte Leertouwersstraat, Sint-Katelijnstraat and Nieuwe Gentweg.
The Folklore Museum, the Kant Centre (Lace Centre) and the Pelicaanhuis are also former godshuizen.
The loveliness of Bruges today is the result of a massive program of restoration. The first and most pressing problem was to deal with the sewage and other effluent which flowed untreated into the canals, creating a smell obnoxious enough to spoil any stay.
Thanks to the construction of a proper sewage system and efficient purification plant the canals are now clean and free of smell. The task of saving the houses from crumbling into ruin also called for radical measures. Most of the 8,000 buildings in the city center were taken into civic ownership, responsibility for their restoration being placed on the shoulders of the municipal authorities. Few houses now remain in private hands, the vast majority being leased to their occupants.
Because the center of Bruges is comparatively small, even those with only a day to spend looking around can expect to take away a good idea of all the major sights. Essential viewing includes the Markt with the Belfry, the Burg and Stadhuis, Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk, the Memling Museum, the picturesque Minnewater, and the Béguinage. A trip on the grachten is a never-to- be-forgotten experience.
Having two days available for sightseeing allows the pleasures of the city to be complemented by those of its museums, with visits to, for example, the Gruuthusemuseum, the Groeninge Museum, the Chapel of the Holy Blood, or any of several more.
The style of the medieval brick houses is thoroughly distinctive. Above many of the windows are recessed shallow arches, and the windows themselves are often found bracketed together by a continuous cill running the length of the frontage.
Equally distinctive of Bruges are the godshuizen, almshouses for the elderly and infirm paid for by the guilds or in some cases prosperous burghers. Most are groups of whitewashed brick houses with a communal entrance gate and janitor's window. Examples can be seen in e.g. Gloeribusstraat, Moerstraat, Zwarte Leertouwersstraat, Sint-Katelijnstraat and Nieuwe Gentweg.
The Folklore Museum, the Kant Centre (Lace Centre) and the Pelicaanhuis are also former godshuizen.
The loveliness of Bruges today is the result of a massive program of restoration. The first and most pressing problem was to deal with the sewage and other effluent which flowed untreated into the canals, creating a smell obnoxious enough to spoil any stay.
Thanks to the construction of a proper sewage system and efficient purification plant the canals are now clean and free of smell. The task of saving the houses from crumbling into ruin also called for radical measures. Most of the 8,000 buildings in the city center were taken into civic ownership, responsibility for their restoration being placed on the shoulders of the municipal authorities. Few houses now remain in private hands, the vast majority being leased to their occupants.
Because the center of Bruges is comparatively small, even those with only a day to spend looking around can expect to take away a good idea of all the major sights. Essential viewing includes the Markt with the Belfry, the Burg and Stadhuis, Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk, the Memling Museum, the picturesque Minnewater, and the Béguinage. A trip on the grachten is a never-to- be-forgotten experience.
Having two days available for sightseeing allows the pleasures of the city to be complemented by those of its museums, with visits to, for example, the Gruuthusemuseum, the Groeninge Museum, the Chapel of the Holy Blood, or any of several more.
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Basilica of the Holy Blood
(Burg)
The famous Basilica of the Holy Blood is said to contain a crystal vial of Christ's blood, brought here in the mid-10th C.
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Church of Our Lady
(Dijver)
The Church of Our Lady in Bruges is the home to the famous sculpture "Virgin and Child" by Michelangelo.
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Heren van Gruuthuse
(Dijver)
The Heren van Gruuthuse is a collection of 15th C buildings that were once the homes of dried herbs merchants.
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Jan van Eyckplein
(Hanseatic Bruges)
This square located near the harbor is noted for its statue of Van Eyck. In the vicintiy are the Customs House and the Poorters Loge.
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Lake of Love
The Lake of Love is a pleasant area of Bruges with walking trails and a few ancient locks.
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Prinselijk Beguijnhof ten Wijngaarde
(Lake of Love)
The Prinselijk Beguijnhof ten Wijngaarde is a Benadictine monastery, founded in the 13th C. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site which today houses Benedictine nuns.
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Town Hall
(Burg)
Bruge's Town Hall was built in the late 14th and early 15th C. The interior is impressive with a Gothic Hall featuring timber vaulting and murals depicting the history of the town.
Hof van Watervliet
About halfway along towards the Markt Steenstraat opens onto Simon Stevinplein, named after the mathematician Stevinus, born in Bruges in 1548 and sometime adviser to Maurice of Nassau. Branching off from the south side of the square is Oude Burg, at the near end of which stands the Hof van Watervliet, a complex of restored old buildings dating from the 16th C. Over the years the Hof's illustrious residents have included Erasmus of Rotterdam and the exiled Charles II.
Town Tours and Guided Walks
The Bruges Tourist Office organizes minibus tours but it is more fun to take one of the horse-drawn carriages starting from the Burg. Throughout July and August guided walks set out daily at 3 p.m. from in front of the tourist office in the Burg (and at other times by arrangement).
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Bruges Surroundings
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