Bruges' cathedral St-Salvator

Sint Salvators Cathedral, the oldest parish church of Bruges has survived the onslaugh of ages without damage.  The cathedral is situated in the middle of the main shopping street (Steenstraat) at the very center of Bruges.

Nevertheless it has undergone some changes and renovations since the church was not originally built to be a cathedral.

In 1834, shortly after Belgium's independence, a new bishop was installed in Bruges and the Sint-Salvators church obtained the status of cathedral.

In 1839 the roof of the cathedral collapsed in a fire.  An English architect, Robert Chantrell, was asked to restore Sint-Salvators to its former glory and at the same time he was authorized to build a higher tower.

So the mighty tower is build on a 12th century base, the oldest surviving part of a common parish church.

Almhouses

Bruges has dozens of Almhouses (Godshuizen) which where established in the 14th century by the wealthy people or guilds for the poor, elderdly & widows.

Almhouses are built like mini-beguinages small white washed houses clustered round a central courtyard and also listed as world heritage by Unesco.

Most are still occupied by elderly people so please visit respectfully.

Certainly worth incorporating into a stroll around Bruges.

Horse drawn carriage ride: a great way to see Bruges!

A horse drawn carriage tour through Bruges is a great way to see the town.

I would recommend to do this early in your stay as the guided tour helps you to get orientated with Bruges.

The carriage will ride along the canals and historical small bridges.
Along the way you'll find many picturesque corners, several museums and other historical sites.  The horse will make a stop halfway at the Beguinage.

The carriage driver provides explanation and gives lots of useful information about various sights, he shows the location of Bruges' top attractions and shares interesting facts about the city during the tour.

The carriages are well enough equipped for a tour in all weather conditions, blankets provided for the cold and a roof top for the rain.

Practical:
Pick the carriage up from the main Market square (on Wednesday before noon on the Burg), go early to avoid queues.
Price is 50 € per carriage, for half hour, you can fit up to 5 people into the carriage. 

A must do !

366 steps to the top

Bruges bell tower

The medieval bell tower was added to the Market square around 1240, when Bruges was prospering as an important center of Flemish cloth industry.   

The Belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger.

Its distinctive octagonal lantern can be seen from pretty much all over town.















A narrow, steep staircase of 366 steps leads to the top of the 83 metre high Belfry tower and is open to the public















There are several stopping points along the way up if you need a rest.




You will discover the old treasury room,   

After a devastating fire in 1280 the tower was largely rebuilt.  The city archives, however, were forever lost to the flames.

     an impressive clock mechanism, 

and a carillon.                                

The Bruges carillon spreads a warm, vibrant, wonderful music across the  city.                           

                           

You can see all the mechanical workings of the bells.

If you are here when the bells start playing you are lucky, even thought it is incredibly loud, it is absolutely beautiful!




In 2014 Unesco has recognised Belgian carillon culture as an intangible cultural heritage.

Tip: try to be there shortly after the 9.30 opening time to avoid a long queue.   

Finally you'll be rewarded with a 360° view that stretch across the entire city and surroundings.

P.S. The Belfry tower is the central feature of the 2008 film In Bruges.

The Beguinage: one of the most magical places in Bruges.

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The Bruges Beguinage was founded in 1245 and continued in use as a refuge where women could retreat from the turbulent society to follow a secure, useful and peaceful life without the need to take the vows of a Nun.

The latest Beguin left in 1926.
Today a community of Benedict nuns inhabit the site.

You enter the Beguinage over a small bridge and through a gatehouse dating from 1776.  The entrance gate closes without fail at 6.30 pm.

The Beguinage is a tranquil coutyard with whitewashed houses set around a grassed area.  It is best visited early spring when the central green is full of daffodils.

There is also a church, museum and gift shop that are worth seeing.

It is great to stroll among the trees and flowers of this area and just to relax without disturbing the occupants of the Beguinage.

The Beguinage is listed as Heritage by Unesco.

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 5° The Beguinage

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 5° the Beguinage

The Beguinage, with its whitewashed housefronts, tranquil convent garden and small museum, was founded in 1245.  It was here that during the last seven centuries lived the beguines of Bruges. 
In 1937 the beguinage became a monastery for Benedictine nuns who still live her now.  The public can peek inside but silence is required at all times in the large grounds, which are planted with trees, lined with manicured garden beds and accessed by a bridge over the canals. 
Be sure to exit by 6.30pm, when the entrance gates are locked to the public.
In spring time blooming daffodils grant the beguinage refined colour. (more)

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 4° (Groeninge museum)

Groeninge Museum - Flemish Primitives' artwork

In the 15th century, Bruges was an attractive place for prominent artists to take up residence, with volumes of work being commissioned by the church and wealthy citizens.
The Groeninge Museum has a comprehensive collection of the Flemisch Primitives' artwork, which was characterised by detailed realism and expert use of oil techniques.
Today more than 200 works from the 15th century to the modern day hang in 11 galeries.  Certainly worth a visit!

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 3° (hospital museum)



Hospital museum
For eight centuries, whether you were a traveller, a pilgrim or a sick, you were welcomed by the nuns of the Hospital of St John.
Today you are able to view the 13th-century buildings, some of the medieval surgical instruments and archaeological relics. 
Don't miss a visit to the traditional 17th-century apothecary around the corner.  It's perfectly restored.

St John's hospital in Bruges - mediaeval & 20th century buildings

mediaeval St John hospital

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 2° (windmills)

Windmills
Windmills used to dominate the Flemish countryside, but today only four of Bruges's original windmills remain standing on the outskirts of town. They were built in the 1700s, and it is well worth the walk to the edge of the historic centre to see them turning with surprising speed during the summer months. The Sint-Janshuis Windmill, which is set on a grassy hill by the canals and was used to mill grain, is open to the public during summer and includes a small museum.

Old windmill in Bruges

20 reasons to visit Bruges - 1°

Bruges is stunning
If you're after a storybook European city, Bruges ticks every box: horse-drawn carriages plod along tiny cobbled streets, handmade stone bridges cross over canals filled with swans, gargoyles watch from the corners of Gothic churches and at night, slightly askew towers are illuminated by golden light.
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in Europe, but remember to get a little lost: secret gardens and quiet, picturesque spots are waiting to be discovered across the city.