Bruges (Brugge), Belgium

Bruges (Brugge) or Bruges is a city in Belgium, belonging to the province of Flanders, of which it is also the capital. Bruges is a popular tourist destination that attracts with its architecture, its history, its nature and its traditions. Bruges has preserved its architecture from the time of the Middle Ages. Bruges was named European Capital of Culture for 2002, along with Salamanca. Over the years, the medieval city of canals - Bruges has acquired several nicknames such as the City of Romance, the Venice of the North, the Cultural Capital of Europe. However, none of these nicknames can capture and describe the charm of Bruges.

The creation of today's Bruges was prompted by the idea of defending the country from Viking invasions. For this reason, a fortress was erected in the 9th century, which by the 13th century was already a town and had gained fame as an international center of the cloth trade. This stimulated the economy and changed and enriched Bruges' infrastructure. Merchants invested their money in splendid houses, churches and public buildings unseen in the whole of Europe until then.

Walking around Bruges, one is lucky to witness the atmosphere of the Middle Ages that has conquered the lovely little streets and alleys. The many museums tell of the city's rich history. Even though Bruges is a small town, you won't be able to see all its architectural and artistic treasures, its folklore, its chocolate shops, its lace boutiques and its restaurants in one day.

Among the city's interesting sights are the St. Among the highlights are the Cathedral of St Saviour, Burr Square with the Town Hall, one of the oldest Gothic buildings in the Netherlands, Markt Square with its historic bell tower, the City Archives building and the Basilica of Saint-Saëns. The sights of Bruges are gathered within the former city walls.

A visitor to the city should not miss a stroll through Minwater Park. The birth of today's park began in 1448, when Maximilian of Austria ordered that Lake Minwater be populated with swans in memory of Pierre Lanchet, Chancellor of Bruges, who was beheaded by the people of Bruges. Extremely interesting, both for its history and architecture, is the imposing Behinhof complex. It is surrounded by stone walls and is named after the Sisters of Béjin, a brotherhood that appeared in 1245. The complex is built between three canals, and the white facades of the houses stand out against the greenery of the park around.

A very important landmark of Bruges is the Beer Museum, which is located in the northeast of the city in an old brewery built in 1902. In addition to the appliances used in the brewing of beer, the museum also has preserved documents that tell the centuries-old history of beer and breweries in the city. In fact, Belgium produces the most types of beer in the world.

Another interesting museum in Bruges is the Hruthuese Museum, which is located in the castle inhabited by the Hruthuese lords. The entire interior of the castle gives a unique insight into the way of life in the 15th century. The Groningen Museum is dedicated to Flemish art from the 15th century to the present day. The collection includes paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Hans Memling, Brötzogel and Jan van Eyck.

Among the religious temples that are on the list of Bruges' landmarks is the Notre Dame Church. Its building was constructed over 2 centuries (13th-14th centuries). Its tower is 122 m high and houses Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, sculpted in white marble, as well as the sarcophagi of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold. Another unique building is the Basilica of Saint San, which consists of two chapels. It is believed to be the beginning of the legend of the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank and in which his blood was collected after his death.

The enduring symbol of Bruges is the Governor's Palace with the Belfry Tower, located on the Chrote Markt. Over time, the tower has leaned one metre to the left. The set of bells on the Belfry is one of the best in the whole world, with 47 bells, with their 27 tons, spreading their magical sound three times a week. Because of the beauty of its canal-strewn urban infrastructure, Bruges is often called the "Venice of the North". It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.