Karl WP Beyer The Belgian city of Bruges is considered the most beautiful city in the Flanders region because of its historic old town and its canals. The entire city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The advantage is that the main sights of Bruges are in the inner-city area. Spectacular views open up on every street and corner. Visitors find it difficult not to get bogged down in the multitude of impressions.
Three towers dominate the silhouette of the city. The Belfry, the tower of the Church of Our Lady and the tower of St. Salvator's Cathedral. In addition, many magnificent medieval buildings tell of the immense wealth of the former trading metropolis of Flanders.
Bruges' attractions are easy to explore on your own. The city's tourist information describes the sights of Bruges in German and recommends themed city tours to guests. They inevitably lead to the urban highlights. We introduce them.
Bruges central squares
The two central squares in the city center are the Grote Markt and Burgplatz. They are just a few steps apart. Significant buildings surround the two squares.
Grote Markt
The northern side of the Grote Markt is occupied by a closed, red brick row of houses. Comfortable restaurants are located under the stepped gables.
The Grote Markt
On the south side of the square is the 83 meter high Belfort. This is what belfries are called in Flemish. The bell tower is part of the former market halls built in the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, a belfort was the epitome of a town's market freedom. Bruges' bell tower can be climbed. There are 366 steps to climb to the upper level. Along the way are the treasury, the clockwork and the carillon consisting of 47 bells.
Bruges BelfortA historic building on the eastern edge of the Great Market is used by the Historium. The unusual museum allows visitors to witness one day in 3 using 1435D technology. In seven historical themed rooms with backdrops, films and virtual reality effects, they accompany the apprentice Jacob of the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck in his activities. Museum visitors experience what Bruges looked, sounded and smelled like in the 15th century.
Tickets adults: 14 euros; open daily.
The Grote Markt with the Historium
Next to the Historium is the Provincial Court. The building looks as old as the other historic buildings in Bruges. The facade deceives the viewer. The neo-Gothic building for the provincial administration was built between 1887 and 1921. The magnificent building is currently used for receptions and exhibitions.
Proviniciaal yard
Castle Square
Bruges' town hall, called Stadhuis, was built in the late Gothic style and dates from the second half of the 14th century. The facade, decorated with 49 statues of biblical figures and secular rulers, has always impressed visitors. The hall on the first floor, decorated with gigantic wall paintings and an oak vault, is also worth seeing. It would take hours to study the paintings depicting historical themes in detail. Next door, in the Historical Hall, historically relevant objects and documents relating to the city's past are on display.
Facade details of the Stadhuis
Stadhuis - Wall paintings in the council chamber
To the left of the Stadhuis is the Oude Griffie. the old town office. It dates from the 16th century and is characterized by the Renaissance style. Justitia crowns the middle of the three gables, which points to the original purpose of the building. After the construction of the Old Court of Justice, the building was converted into the City Chancellery.
The Old Court of Justice is also located on the Burgplatz. It was the seat of a court and the council of free citizens of the region met in the rooms.
The Old Court of Justice, with the Oude Griffie to the right
Justitia crowns the pediment of the Oude Griffie
The Dompropstei was built in the 17th century. The provosts of St. Donatian's Cathedral resided in the imposing building. The church originally stood opposite the town hall. It was demolished in 1799.
Provostry
Three important churches
Our Lady Vrouwekerk
The origins of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady) in the center of Bruges go back to the early 13th century. The five-aisled, brick-built church houses the sarcophagus of Charles the Bold and his daughter Maria of Burgundy. The most famous work of art in the church is the sculpture "Madonna and Child" created by Michelangelo. It is the only work by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime. The church tower made of bricks measures 116 meters and is considered a technical masterpiece. The church is one of 15 city museums. Worship services are offered to a limited extent.
Sint Salvator Cathedral
Bruges oldest parish church is the Sint Salvator Kathedraal. The cathedral is the episcopal church of the Roman Catholic diocese of Bruges. It was built between the 12th and 17th centuries. It is famous for its church treasures, masterful paintings and tapestries.
Holy Blood Basilica
Located on Burgplatz, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is easy to miss. At first glance, the church looks like one of Bruges' many historic buildings. A closer look reveals that the building is a double church built one on top of the other. On the lower level is the austerely and sparsely furnished Romanesque St. Basil's Church. Above it rises a later erected and lavishly decorated Gothic basilica, the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The "Relic of the Holy Blood" is kept in it. According to legend, the object is a few drops of the Savior's blood. A noble bought it during the second Jerusalem crusade and donated it to the city of Bruges. The relic is shown twice a day for a short time. – The treasury is worth a visit.
Holy Blood Basilica
Bruges foundations and charities
In the Middle Ages, Bruges was one of the economic and cultural centers of Europe. The leading patrician families were extremely rich and saw themselves as patrons. Three foundations were of particular importance:
Oud Sint Janshospital
The old Sankt-Janshospitaal is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe. A first document that establishes rules for the interaction of nuns and monks dates back to 1188. From this it can be concluded that the institution was founded before or around 1150. Her job was to treat and care for the sick, pilgrims and travelers.
Oud Sint Janshospital
The old dormitory, the adjoining guard room, the pharmacy with herb garden as well as the church and the chapel can be visited. An impressive collection of archival material and works of art as well as several paintings by the Bruges painter Hans Memling await visitors there.
Adult ticket: 12 euros; open Tuesday to Sunday.
Beguinage, foundation houses Meulenaere and St. Jozef
Beguines were unmarried, pious women who lived together in a Christian, religious community from the 13th century onwards. Bruges' landmark "Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde" was founded in 1245. Today, Benedictine nuns use the extensive residential complex. The mighty entrance gate to the Beguinage is closed daily at 18:30pm
The Minnewater lies in front of the beguinage. In earlier times, barges used to carry out transports between Bruges and Ghent were moored on the small city lake.
The “Godshuizen” complex of houses on Nieuwe Gentweg was donated between 1613 and 1674 by wealthy citizens for the poor and the elderly.
Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde
Foundation houses Meulenaere and St. Jozef
Bruges museums
Bruges has more than 30 municipal and private museums. The public museums include fine arts, historical collections, two hospital museums. The Historium, the Spitzenzentrum or the Holy Blood Basilica stand out from the range of private museums. A small selection follows.
Bruges Diamond Museum
The commercial museum opened in 1999. Permanent and changing exhibitions are offered. The grinding show that takes place regularly is of particular interest. In the adjoining museum shop, rough diamonds from many countries, synthetic diamonds, pieces of jewelery or specialist literature are sold.
Diamond museum
Dalí Xpo Gallery
Admirers of the Spanish painter Salvador Dalí find their master in the Dalí Xpo Gallery. Original pictures, graphic works and drawings by the Spanish painter are shown in the town halls of Belfort on the Grote Markt.
Adult ticket: 10 euros; open Monday to Sunday.
Dalí Xpo Gallery in the Belfort
Xpo Center Bruges
Where Dalí is, works by Picasso and Andy Warhol cannot be missing. In the Oud Sint Janshospitaal, the private Xpo Center Bruges constantly presents around 400 original works by both artists.
Adult ticket: 10 euros; open Monday to Sunday.
Gruuthuse Museum
The former city palace of the lords of Gruuthuse shows three crucial periods in the history of Bruges. The periods depict the city's Burgundian heyday, Bruges in the 17th and 18th centuries, and Bruges' historical reinvention in the 19th century. Around 600 collector's items are contemporary witnesses. These include precious tapestries, Gothic stained glass windows, lacework and much more.
Gruuthuse Museum with Church of Our Lady
Groeninge Museum
The city's Groeninge Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, shows the Old Masters of Dutch and Belgian painting, the Flemish Primitives and Flemish Expressionists.
Groeninge Museum entrance
Groeninge Museum - Arentshuis
Chocolate Museum
In this museum the visitor learns interesting facts about cocoa and chocolate. The praline production is explained using a practical example. Something more tasty on the side: nowhere else in the world are there so many chocolate shops in so little space as in Bruges. There should be forty-nine stores.
Bruges Chocolate Museum
City Gates and the Powder Tower
The old town, which is almost completely surrounded by water, has four city gates that are well worth seeing. Two gates are particularly noteworthy: the Ezelpoort (the donkey gate) and the Kruispoort (the cross gate).
Built in 1297, the Ezelpoort has undergone many transformations over the centuries. Built between 1297 and 1304, the Kruispoort has been modified twice.
Ezelport
Kruispoort
On the southern edge of the old town is the Poertoren, the gunpowder tower. The 18 meter high tower was built at the end of the 14th century. Next to it is the stair tower. The Poertoren was formerly part of the city fortifications.
Poertoren - the powder tower
Some more attractions
The modern, terracotta-colored concert hall of the Concertgebouw was built in view of Bruges' European Capital of Culture 2002. The organizers claim that the Concertgebouw offers the very best of modern dance and classical music that can be seen and heard. The acoustics of the concert hall and the chamber music hall are praised as excellent.
Location: 't Zand-Platz
Concert Hall
Beer lovers should be interested: Halve Maan-Brouwerij was bought by the Maes family in 1856. The origins of brewing beer in Bruges go back to the 16th century. The Maene Brewery is already mentioned in the city annals of 1564.
Location: Walplein 26
The Poortersloge was built in the 15th century. The magnificent secular building with the towering tower looks like a church, but has nothing to do with it. The Poortersloge was the meeting place for the citizens of Bruges and the meeting place for rich merchants.
Poortersloge with the tower
One of the most beautiful locations in Bruges is the Rozenhoed Kaai. Visitors look out over the Dijvergracht, the stately houses lining it and the Belfort towering in the background.
Rozenhoed Kaai - boats on the Dijvergracht
In the columned hall of the Vismarkt, built in 1821, the fish market is held Wednesday through Saturday morning. On the other days, junk dealers sell their goods there.
fish market
Bruges windmills
Four historic windmills stand on Bruges' old city wall. The green surroundings invite you to go for walks, play ball games or have a picnic. As a bonus, there are the stately windmills to see.
Sint Janshuismolen
Bonne-Chièremolen
Window shopping in Bruges
A leisurely stroll through the shops is part of a city tour. The many chocolate shops are particularly popular. However, there are other nice things to discover, such as the art galleries or shops with beautiful lace.
Steenstraat
waffle shop
Discover Bruges by canal boat or horse-drawn carriage
Canal cruises show Bruges' sights from the water's perspective. The trip starts from five landing stages. The berth at Huidenvettersplein seems particularly suitable for starting a canal cruise. The boat goes from this square to Jean van Eyck Plein. It turns in front of the statue of the Flemish Renaissance painter who rose to fame in the 15th century. The Poorters Lodge towers in the background.
The half-hour canal cruise costs 10 euros.
A half-hour ride in a horse-drawn carriage costs 55 euros; A maximum of five people can be accommodated in the carriage. At the beguinage the horse is given a five-minute break. The coachmen give advice on the individual objects during the slow journey. Animal rights activists criticize the carriage rides as cruelty to animals.
Canal boats on the Huidenvettersplein
Carriages at the Grote Markt
For longer stays and good weather, we recommend a boat trip with the nostalgic river boat Lamme Goedzak from Bruges to the village of Damme, six kilometers away. Time seems to have stood still in the small, historic town with around 10.000 inhabitants. Damme is known as the Eulenspiegel town. And Lamme Goedzak was Till Eulenspiegel's friend.
The round-trip by boat costs 15 euros. The start is in Bruges outside the city center at Noorweegse Kaai.
River boat Lamme Goedzak
Tips for cruise ship guests
The distance between Bruges and the nearby cruise ports Oostende and Zeebrugge is 27 and 20 kilometers respectively. In order to get to know the sights of Bruges, cruise ship guests do not need a guided tour if they have prepared accordingly. There are frequent trains to Bruges from Oostende or Zeebrugge (Blankenberg train station).
As an alternative, a ride on the Kusttram, the Belgian interurban tram, is recommended from Zeebrugge. The Kusttram runs 67 kilometers between Knokke Heist in the east and De Panne on the French border -> With the Kusttram along the Belgian North Sea coast. In Zeebrugge there is a few hundred meters walk between the cruise terminal and the nearby tram stop. Tickets for the Kusttram are sold in the Spar shop opposite the stop. In the coastal town of Blankenberge, passengers change to the bus to Bruges. We recommend getting off the bus at the Concertgebouw in Bruges. From this stop, the historic center can be accessed in an easy and pleasant way.
Among Europe's historic cities, Bruges is an exceptional gem. A visit is recommended.
Update - December 2023