With all its pedestrian, cobbled streets and 50 bridges that span the canals in the city, you will find that Bruges is a wonderful city to visit on foot. As you meander around looking at interesting sites, you will be tempted into the wonderful shops selling traditional souvenirs and gastronomic shops which will offer you the marvelous Belgium chocolate and beers.
Bruges is a great place to wander around, but with its winding canals and paths, it can be a bit confusing. Invest in a good map with street names on. Maps and guides can be purchased from the Information desk at the railway station or in the main tourist office.Among the many medieval buildings that you won't want to miss seeing are: 13-century Halles, or marketplace with a belfry 353 feet high; the 13th-14th Cathedral of Saint Salvator; the 12th-century Chapelle of Saint Sang; the 12th-century Hospital of Saint John; the 13th-century church of Notre Dame, with a 122-m (400-ft) tower; and the Hôtel de Ville, the oldest town hall in Belgium, begun in the 14th century. An important detail to remember is that all museums in Bruges are closed on Monday.
Let's start with some background information on some of the main historical sites you won't wan to miss.
BELL TOWER
In
the colorful heart of the city is Bruges' Market Square, is
Bruges' most famous landmark, its 13th-century belfry,
housing a municipal carillon comprising 47
bells.
On the quarter hour, the bells are played mechanically
with the giant barrel and movable tabs. For concerts, a carillonist plays
the manual keyboard with fists and feet rather than fingers. Be there on the
quarter hour when things ring. Climb 366 winding
steps to survey the town, but don't forget to bring your camera as you will
be rewarded with an amazing view. On the second level is the former medieval
treasure-room, today a museum. Just before the top, peek into the carillon
room. The Belfort en Hallen (bell tower of the market) is a symbol of Bruges
and the tallest belfry in Belgium. This bell tower has towered over Market
Square since 1300. Cost: €5, open
daily 9:30-17:00, last entry 16:15.
BEGIJINHOF (Nun’s House)
Stroll through the Begijnhof (buh-HINE-hof). For
reasons of war and testosterone, there were more women than men in the
medieval Low Countries. The order of Beguines offered women (often single or
widowed) a dignified place to live and work. When the order died out, many
Begijnhofs were taken over by towns for subsidized housing, but some, like
this one, became homes for nuns. You'll find Begijnhofs all over Belgium and
the Netherlands. The "Beguinage of the Vineyard" was founded in 1245.
Sisters of the religious St. Benedict Order have taken the place of the
former beguines. The Beguine’s House provides a good picture of the
day-to-day life of the former inhabitants.
BASILICA of the HOLY BLOOD
The Basilica of the Holy Blood is famous for its relic
of the blood of Christ, which, according to tradition, was brought to Bruges
in 1150 after the Second Crusade. The Museum of the Holy Blood
contains an exhibition of reliquaries, vestments, paintings and other
artifacts. The chapel of the Holy Blood, contains a rock-crystal vial
containing a fragment of cloth stained with what is said to be the
coagulated blood of Christ. They bring it out on Fridays for veneration. On
Ascension Day the relic becomes the focus of the Procession of the Holy
Blood, in which 1,600 Bruges citizens, many dressed as
medieval knights or crusaders in medieval garb, form a mile-long
procession behind the relic.
CITY
HALL- City Hall, Burg 12
The City Hall has the oldest and most sumptuous Gothic hall in the Low
Countries. On the first floor is the prestigious Gothic Hall, with an
impressive wooden and polychrome vault ceiling and historic wall-paintings
(historical museum) In the Historic Room a collection of items, documents
and paintings relating to Bruges’ history are on display.
GRUUTHUSE MUSEUM - Dijver 17
The Gruuthuse Museum, a wealthy brewer's home, is
filled with a sprawling smattering of everything from medieval bedpans to a
guillotine. The historical museum is the former palace of the Lords of
Gruuthuse (15th century) which was converted into a museum in 1955. The
furniture, kitchen equipment, silverware, tapestries, lace, ceramics,
glassware, weaponry, music- and measuring-instruments, etc. provide a good
picture of everyday life led by the former inhabitants and bourgeoisie in
the past. The collection occupies 22 numbered rooms.
GROENINGE MUSEUM - Dijver 12 The Groeninge Museum offers a fine survey of Dutch and Belgian painting (15th-20th century). The masterpieces by the so-called ‘Flemish Primitives’ (Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling,) are without doubt the highlights of this museum. Quite remarkable as well is the unique collection of works by Flemish expressionists.
CHURCH of OUR LADY - Mariastraat
The
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (The Church of Our Lady) dates back to the 13th
century (recently restored) has a brick spire reaching 360 feet high
(making it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings) stands
as a memorial to the power and wealth of Bruges in its heyday. It has
the delicate Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, said to be the only statue
of his to leave Italy in his lifetime (bought with money made from Bruges'
lucrative cloth trade). This church contains an extremely rich art
collection. In the choir gallery, you can admire mausoleums of Mary of
Burgundy and Charles the Bold, as well as a number of remarkable polychrome
tombs (13th-14th century).
No sightseeing during church services! Viewing
Michelangelo is free, art-filled apse costs €2.50, covered by €6 Gruuthuse
admission, church open Mon–Fri 9:30–17:00, Sat 9:30–16:45, Sun 13:30–17:00;
museum and apse closed Mon;
MEMLING MUSEUM - Mariastraat 38
The medieval St. John's Hospital, now the Memling
Museum, has six much-loved paintings by the greatest of the Flemish
Primitives, Hans Memling. In the former hospital wards you can also
see a collection of paintings, furniture and other items related to the
hospital’s rich history. The 17th-century Old Dispensary is also worth a
visit. The beautifully restored 19th-century hospital buildings are used
today by the Oud Sint-Jan Foundation, for exhibitions and conventions.
Cost: €8, open Tue-Sun 9:30-17:00,
closed Mon.
THE DeHALVE MAAN BREWERY - Walplein 26
If you are
interested in beer, then this is the place for you. The De Halve Maan
Brewery tour is a handy way to pay your respects to the favorite local beer.
The happy gang at this working family brewery gives entertaining and
informative 45-minute, three-language tours. At De Halve Maan (The Half
Moon), they remind their drinkers: "The components of the beer are
vitally necessary and contribute to a well-balanced life pattern. Nerves,
muscles, visual sentience, and a healthy skin are stimulated by these in a
positive manner. For longevity and lifelong equilibrium, drink De Halve Maan
beer in moderation!"
Belgium has over 500 beers, as almost every village has its own label.
During WWII, beer and bread were the staples for many in this region of
Europe. Since beer is made from oats, barley, or wheat, it is very
nutritious. Who knew that the kiss of the hops was so beneficial to one’s
health!
Duvel (meaning "devil"), is a potent local brew. Trappist is the dark monk-made beer, and Dentergems is a white beer made with coriander and orange peel. Those who don't drink beer enjoy the cherry-flavored Kriek and strawberry-flavored Frambozen. Each beer is served in its own unique glass. This brewery also produces ‘Brugse Zot’ an excellent, highly fermented beer with malt, hops and special yeast as main ingredients. Cost: €5 includes a beer, lots of very steep steps, great rooftop panorama; tours run April–Oct daily on the hour 11:00–16:00, Sat until 17:00; Nov–March Mon–Fri 11:00 and 15:00 only, Sat–Sun on the hour 11:00–16:00. ;
CANAL TRIPS
Be sure to take a canal tour of Bruges. You can
see the entire village from the water's edge for a totally different
perspective than you would get from walking its streets. The canal tour is
inexpensive and well worth it. One of the most popular attractions in this
medieval city is a canal trip. Boats depart from the Georges Stael landing
stage at Katelijnestraat 4 every 30 minutes, daily from 10h00 to 17h30.
Closed from the middle of November to the middle of March. Each boat holds
around 25 people.
MARKET SQUARE (Markt),
the
town center which is filled with restaurants - a popular area for residents
and tourists alike. To avoid traffic congestion, city officials have seen to
it that the major parking garage was built outside of the town center ...
just a 20-minute walk away. Bicycles are very popular here and are available
for daily rentals. So clever!
The Burg is a public square just steps away from the Markt, holds an array of beautiful buildings, which together add up to a trip through the history of architecture
WINDMILLS
For more peace, wander back in time to Bruges'
four windmills, strung out along a pleasant grassy canal side park. Joust
with a windmill or just have a picnic.
Ezelport Gentpoort Kruispoort Smedenpoort
These are the 4 remaining gates in Bruges