Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce - Local Area
Bruges Activities and Attractions
Bruges (Dutch: Brugge) is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium in the northwest part of the country. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance, thanks to its port, and is also home to the College of Europe.
The historic city center of Bruges is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO with most of its medieval architecture intact. There are many medieval buildings worth seeing, including the Church of Our Lady, whose impressive brick spire is one of the world's highest brick towers. It houses the sculpture Madonna and Child which is believed to be Michelangelos only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.
Bruges is also famous for its 13th century Belfry, with a municipal Carillon comprising of 47 bells. In fact, the city still employs a full time bell ringer, who delights his audience with regular free concerts and stands as one of the top attractions in Bruges.
Other famous buildings in Bruges include the Old St. Johns Hospital, the Saint Salvator Cathedral, the Groeningemuseum, City Hall on the Burg square, the Provincial Court (Provinciaal Hof) and the old city gateways of Kruispoort, Gentpoort, Smedenpoort and Ezelpoort. The modern Concertgebouw (Concert Building) is also worth seeing.
Not to be missed is the famous Beguinage, the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek). The relic of the Holy Blood, which was brought to the city during the First Crusade, is paraded every year through the streets of Bruges. More than 1,600 residents take part in this mile long religious procession, many dressed as medieval knights or crusaders.
Bruges also has a very fine collection of medieval and early modern art, including the world famous collection of Flemish Primitives. Various masters, such as Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck lived and worked in Bruges.
Luxe Top 10 must see attractions
Market Square and Belfry
Climb to the top and discover the old treasury room, an impressive clock mechanism and a carillon with 47 bells. After 366 steps, your athletic efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Bruges and its surrounding countryside.
Church of Our Lady
The Onthaalkerk O.L.V., with its 122 meter brick steeple, dominates the skyline of the city. It is quite literally the high spot of the stonemasons art in medieval Bruges. The church also plays host to a rich collection of art treasures, of which the crowning glory is definitely the beautiful Madonna and Child by Michelangelo. The choir aisle is also a treasure trove of exceptional pieces: paintings and exquisite woodcarvings, the 16th century ceremonial tombs of Maria of Burgundy and Charles the Bold, as well as other painted tombs from the 13th and 14th centuries.
St. Savior’s Cathedral
Bruges oldest parish church (12th-15th century). Definitely worth seeing are the goblins, the choir, rood loft with organ (1619-1717), choir stalls and numerous fine paintings. The Cathedral Museum is filled with old paintings and retables, brass tomb plates and reliquaries.
Town Hall
Bruges Town Hall dates from 1376, making it one of the oldest town halls in all of the Low Countries. It is from this building that the city has been governed and administered for more than 700 years. The Gothic Chamber, with its magnificent 19th century wall paintings and its polychrome ceiling, is a work of art in its own right. The painted figures illustrate stories from the citys glorious past. Under the theme of Governors and Governed, you will be able to follow the exciting power struggle between the aristocracy, the city administration and the citizens of Bruges.
Arents House
The Arents House features the rich drawing collection of the Steinmetzkabinet and a permanent presentation around the British-Bruges artist Frank Brangwyn as well as other exhibitions.
The Liberty of Bruges
The Liberty of Bruges once housed the citys courts, but now provides a home for the Municipal Archives. As such, it is the very living, written memory of the history of the city itself. The old Court of Justice leads one to the famous Renaissance Chamber (formerly the Aldermens Chamber), where visitors can marvel at the monumental 16th century fireplace, with its mantle of wood, marble and alabaster, designed by Lanceloot Blondeel in honor of Emperor Charles V.
St Johns Hospital
The history of Memling in Saint-Jan (the former St Johns Hospital) spans eight centuries. During this period, nuns and monks received and took care of pilgrims, travelers and the ill. In the medieval wards and in the church, visitors can learn more about the rich history of the hospital, which over time has acquired an impressive collection of records, works of art, applied arts and medical instruments. The museum also owns six works by Hans Memling. In addition to the wards, visitors can also visit Diksmuidezolder (Dixmude Loft), the former dormitorium and the adjacent old pharmacy.
Groeninge Museum
This museum offers a rich and fascinating array of primarily Belgian artworks. Highlights include the world famous collection of works by the Flemish Primitives, paintings by various Renaissance and Baroque masters, several interesting pieces from the Neo-Classical and Realistic periods of the 18th and 19th centuries, milestones from the Symbolist and Modernist movements, masterpieces by the Flemish Expressionists and a varied selection of post 1945 modern art. Artists such as Bram Bogart, Hieronymus Bosch, Jean Brusselmans, Petrus Christus, Emile Claus, Gerard David, Paul Delvaux, Gustave De Smet, James Ensor, Fernand Khnopff, René Magritte, Hans Memling, Constant Permeke, Pieter Pourbus, Roger Raveel, Hugo van der Goes, Rogier van der Weyden, Gustave van de Woestyne, Jan van Eyck, Rik Wouters and many others are all exhibited in regularly changing displays.
Gruuthuse Museum
At the luxurious Gruuthuse city palace, visitors experience the welcome of royalty. Gruuthuse holds all kinds of objects that refer to life between the 15th and the 19th centuries. One of its main assets is the Room of Honour with its tapestries, impressive fireplace and richly decorated timber, reminiscent of the luxury and wealth of the Lords of Gruuthuse.
Museum of Folklore
The Museum of Folklore contains eight almshouses from the 17th century, each with a different décor and a unique collection of old objects. There is a classroom, a cobblers workshop, a hatters workshop, a coopers (barrelmakers) workshop, a Flemish living room, a confectioners bakery, a pharmacy, an inn, a tailors workshop, traditional textiles, and an authentic bedroom interior. Every Thursday afternoon, fresh sweets are made using traditional recipes and techniques. Twice a year the museum opens its doors to take part in local festivals: the Aristide Festival on the first Saturday in September and the Midwinter Festival on the Sunday before Christmas.