Destination - Bruges, Belgium

"If you set out to design a fairy-tale medieval town it would be hard to improve on central Bruges. Picturesque cobbled lanes and dreamy canals link exceptionally photogenic market squares lined with soaring towers, historic churches and old whitewashed almshouses."

 

Bruges, Belgium

 

Bruges is a charming city of medieval architecture and cobbled streets.  Since 2000, the Historic Center of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its "outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries."  Canals, cobblestone paths, and medieval and gothic buildings give the city an old world feel.

I have not yet been to Bruges, although it is one of the stops we plan to make in 2014 when we meet up with our friends from Scotland.  My plan is to fly to Amsterdam, then take the train to Bruges, and then on to Lisbon, where we will meet them.  We'll have 6 days on our own and then 2 weeks with them in Portugal, which should gives us some time to explore.  So now I am looking at what there is to do in those cities.

The area of Bruges that most tourists spend all their time in, is the Historic Center of Bruges which is contained within a canal, or moat.  Nearly everything of interest and importance is within this convenient cobbled stone area between the train station and Market Square.

Market Square and the Bell Tower

Market Square (Markt) - This is the heart of the city. It is ringed by banks, the post office, restaurants and dominated by the 290 foot high bell tower.  Most of the buildings are gabled and quite majestic. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the square.  Geldmuntstraat, just off the square, is a delightful street with many fun shops and eateries. 

Bell Tower (Belfort) - This bell tower has presided over the square since 1300.  It is 366 steps to the top, and the view is worth the climb and the small charge.  It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Just before you reach the top you should peek into the room with the 47 bells which are played on the quarter hour. 


 

Burg Square

Burg Square - This is Bruges civic center, historically the birthplace of Bruges and the site of the 9th century castle of the first Count of Flanders.  Today it is the scene of outdoor concerts and a place for people to gather.  It is surrounded by six-centuries of architecture.

Flemish art and the Gruuthuse Museum which is a 15th century mansion of a wealthy merchant and displays period furniture, tapestries, coins and musical instruments. Those are probably the most well known of the museums in the city.  There is also a lace museum - The Face of Lace.  Belgium is famous for its lace.


Madonna & Child

There are churches with wonderful architecture to see.  The two most frequented by tourists would be the Basilica of the Holy Blood (which supposedly has some of Christ's blood), and Church of Our Lady which stands as a memorial to the power and wealth of Bruges in its heyday.  It has on display a sculpture by Michelangelo - Madonna and child.  This exquisite sculpture was the master's only work to leave Italy in his lifetime.  One oddity, high up in the church wall, is the personal observation room of the Gruuthuse family who lived in the adjoining palace, now the Gruuthuse museum.

You could also visit the City Hall's Gothic Room which is full of maps and paintings,  The Gothic Hall which dates back to the 1400's features painted and carved wooden ceilings and hanging arches.  And the Renaissance Hall has a chimney carved from oak.  If you are into heraldry this is a good place to stop and look around.



Chocolate Line Shop

But there is so much more too Bruges then just the history and the architecture.  For foodies you have to stop and try the  famous Belgium chocolates.  Some of the best places to buy chocolate are Dumon and The Chocolate Line.  In fact, there is a chocolate museum, The Choco-Story where you learn all about chocolate.  Don't forget that fries (or chips) were invented in Belgium, not France, and you will find stalls that sell these, and there is even a museum to visit about them, the Frietmuseum.  Bruges is also famous for their beer.  The local brewery, De Halve Maan, is open for daily tours, you will get one free sample of beer and there is a good café where you can get a good meal with of course, a beer.



boats on the canal

There are lots of tours available.  There are boat tours of Bruges' canals which are a great way to take in the medieval architecture of the city.  And a tour that I thought looked interesting was the Quasimodo Tours which specializes in full (and half) day tours of the historic castles, chateaus and landmarks of Flanders.  It even takes you to visit the WWI landmarks of Flanders Fields.  This tour would get you out of the city to show you some of the surrounding areas.

Just a 10 minute walk from the historic center of town you can visit the city's northeast area, where you will find authentic, lived in Bruges with its quiet cobbled streets of step-fronted houses in brick.  The houses quite often have hand-made glass windows and doors that are painted burgundy and dark green.  If you walk a little further you can get to the windmills next to the canal at Kruisvest.  You can also visit the Lace Centre, where you can learn all about Belgium's lace, which includes demonstrations.

Street Food in Bruges includes waffles

You'll find some good places to eat in Bruges.  The specialty of the city is mussels, cooked a variety of ways.  You can eat outside in the squares or along the canals.  These places are great for people watching and are popular with tourists.  Some of the better places are the bistros on the back streets where the locals eat.  There are also many bars or pubs where you can get a light meal or a drink.  And when visiting any new place, I love to try the street foods.  In Bruges that would be the fries and the Belgium waffles which are not eaten for breakfast but as a snack.



Belgium Chocolate

Bruges is a city for walking around in, for taking in the sights and the architecture and soaking up the atmosphere.  For enjoying the canals and taking a boat ride.  And certainly for enjoying the chocolate and the beer, both of which I love.  I'm looking forward to exploring this city.