Bruges Things To Do

Market Square (Grote Markt )
The market square in Bruges, is the medieval commercial centre of the city. One of the city's most impressive monuments is the Belfry and Cloth Hall and on the north side the Provincial Court. The rest of the square is occupied by restaurants and cafes located in guild houses. The statues at the centre of the square are of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck who were leading figures in the resistance against the French occupation in 1302.

Belfry (Belfort)
Markt
One of Bruges most distinctive landmarks is the bell tower which dates back to the 13th century and is over 80 metre high. Those who climb the 366 steps to the top are rewarded with panoramic views over the city with its skyline of spires and domes. The second storey of the tower, one a former medieval treasure room, is now a museum.

City Hall (Stadhuis)
12 Burg
Built in the 14th century, this is the oldest town hall in Flanders and certainly one of the most beautiful. On the first floor is the stunning Gothic Hall with its beautiful vaulted ceiling. The historic wall paintings depicting the city's history were added in the late 19th century during the hall's restoration.

Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heiligbloed Basiliek)
13 Burg
Both Lower and Upper Chapels date back to the 12th century and were built in Roman style, but it is the Upper Chapel that was converted into a neo-gothic style in the 19th centuries and has beautiful stained glass windows, intricate wall paintings and decorated wooden ceiling. The Upper Chapel is also home to the treasured relic of the Holy Blood, a crystal phial containing a few drops of Christ's blood, brought back around 1200 from the Holy Land after the Second Crusade. The phial stored in a silver tabernacle is exhibited every Friday. The adjacent museum displays a collection of vestments, paintings and artefacts.

The Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwkere)
Mariastraat
This 13th century church with 122m tower was built over three centuries in various different styles and with more work carried out in the 18th century, the church was transformed again, into a more contemporary design. Since 1900, all renovations have tried to re-establish the old medieval style and the church now houses an impressive array of art treasures. Michelangelo's wonderful sculpture, Madonna and Child is without a doubt one of the highlights, and is the only sculpture by the great Italian artist that can be seen in the Low Countries. In the choir are the magnificent mausoleums of Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy, along with some remarkable painted tombs.

St Saviours Cathedral (St Salvator Kathedral)
St Salvatorskerkhof
Work started on Bruges' oldest parish church in the 10th century but after being destroyed by fire, rebuilt and alterations and additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries, it displays a mixture of styles. Given cathedral status in the 19th century and suffering damage when a fire destroyed the roof, the cathedral underwent extensive restoration and the tower made higher so as not to be overshadowed by the neighbouring Church of Our Lady. There are several paintings, beautiful wall tapestries and medieval tombs.

Beguine Convent (Begijnhof)
Founded in 1245 by the Countess of Flanders, Margaret of Constantinople, as a haven for the beguines (lay nuns). In the 1930's it became a monastery for Benedictine nuns who still live there today. The pretty row of small white houses around an inner lawn is a real haven of tranquillity. One of the houses has been transformed into an interesting museum illustrating how the beguines used to live.

Minnewater Park (Lake of Love)
Situated by the gates of the Beguinage, this picturesque park used to be a dock for the barges which operated between Bruges and Ghent. Today it has a pretty lake, lawns swans and meandering lakeside walks.

Lace Centre (Kantcentrum)
3a Peperstraat
Both a museum and workshop situated in charming old almhouses. Demonstrations of the intricate art of lace making take place in the workshop whilst the history of this art is illustrated in the museum were ancient examples of skilled lace work are on display. There is also a shop for those wanting to buy souvenirs.

Breweries

Brewery De Halve Maan - Brewery Straffe Hendrik
26 Walplein
This family run business has been brewing beer here since 1856 but the brewery itself can be traced back to 1564 as mentioned in the city archives. They have been producing the famous Straffe Handrick (Strong Henri) beer since 1981and guided tours through the brewery and museum are available with a chance to sample the beer at the end. The brewery also has a pub were its possible to have a drink or meal.

Brewery De Gouden Boom - The Brewery Museum
47 Langestraat, (Entrance to the Museum 10 Verbrand Nieuwland)
This brewery brews beers such as Brugs Tarwebier and Brugse Tripel and the museum is housed in a restored malt house which still has all the original machines in place. It details the history of brewing in Bruges and the 31 breweries still in operation at the turn of the century. You also get the chance to sample one of the famous beers at the end.

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