Junction of Koolbrandersstraat with Westmeers

This little city, known as Brugge in Dutch, was one of Europe's most prosperous cities during the Middle Ages, having an economy based on trade. But the city has lost its influence since the 15th century. It was this loss and lack of modernisation that helped it transform into one of the most popular tourist destinations.

New town hall of Bruges, Oostmeers 17

The old town hall is now a Top 10 sight of Bruges. It is located in Burg (a smaller square, compared to Markt).

Near Mariastraat

Beautiful buildings everywhere you look. This is a house situated near the Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk).

Saint John's Hospital (detail) - Mariastraat 38

The oldest building in Bruges is Saint John's Hospital (Sint-Janshospitaal), dating from the 12th century. It served its purpose as a hospital until the 19th century. It was superbly renovated and is now the Memling in Sint-Jan Museum.

Saint John's Hospital (detail) - Mariastraat 38

This building now serves as the Memling in Sint-Jan Museum, the old medieval hospital wards displaying an amazing mix of paintings, treasures and historic medical equipment. The most treasured works of art are Hans Memling's "The Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine" and "Shrine of St. Ursula".

Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

This church is the place where one can see the beautiful Carrara marble sculpture "Madonna and Child" (1504) by Michelangelo, the only one of his works to leave Italy in his lifetime. It was bought by a Bruges merchant and donated to the church in 1506.

Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

The towering spire of the Church of Our Lady is a landmark of Bruges. It is the second highest in Belgium, with its 122m, the first being the tower of the Anvers Cathedral.

Church of Our Lady - detail (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

Building this church took 2 centuries (13th-15th). The exterior is built in the austere Scheldt Gothic style, the interior is mainly Gothic, with Baroque ornamentation.

The Gruuthuse Museum

It presents a collection of everyday artifacts from the homes of the merchant classes. The building was the palace of the Lords of Gruuthuse, who became rich by taxing the gruut (herbs used in beer flavourings).

Building next to the Gruuthuse Museum

One of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse

At the side of the Gruuthuse Museum courtyard, the sculptural group of Rik Poot, "The four horsemen of the Apocalypse" awaits contemplation.

View from the Rozenhoedkaai

The Quai of the Rosary is probably the most photographed spot in Bruges. The Huidenvettersplein (Tanners' Square) and the Fish Market are just around the corner.

View from the Rozenhoedkaai

View from the Rozenhoedkaai

View of Dijver canal from Rozenhoedkaai

View of the Church of Our Lady from Wollestraat

View of Rozenhoedkaai from Wollestraat

Markt and the statue of the Flemish heroes

Bruges has two squares, connected through a small street named Breidelstraat. Markt is the biggest one and it is considered the commercial centre of the city. In the middle of the square, we can see a statue from the 19th century, a tribute to the Flemish heroes of Bruges.

The Provincial Palace in Markt

The large neo-Gothic Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Palace) dates from the 19th century and houses the government of the province of West Flanders.

The Provincial Palace in Markt

The large neo-Gothic Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Palace) dates from the 19th century and houses the government of the province of West Flanders.

Belfry and Market Halls (Belfort-Hallen)

The Belfry was, and is, the symbol of Bruges’s civic pride. The tower was built in the 13th century and was further extended in the 14th century. The upper octagonal section was added a century later. Climb the 366 steep steps to the Belfry’s summit 84m high for panoramic views of Bruges and the surrounding countryside all the way to the sea.

The guildhouses in the Markt

The guildhouses in the Markt

This square, along with the Burg, is the heart of Bruges. It is the site of a large market on Wednesday mornings, and a small Christmas market (with ice rink) in December. It still retains much of its original outline flanked by old step-gabled guildhouses.

Horse-drawn carriage in Markt

Flemish heroes, butcher Jan Breydel and weaver Pieter de Coninck

The two led a riot in 1302 against the wealthy merchants and nobles who dominated the guilds, and then went on to win an against-the-odds victory over French knights later that same year.

The Town Hall and the Old Civic Registry

The Gothic structure of the Town Hall (Stadhuis) was built in the late 1300s, making it the oldest Town Hall in Belgium. It is famous for its Gothic Room and its oak ceiling dating from 1402. Beside the Town Hall we see the Old Civic Registry (Oude Civiele Griffie), with the oldest Renaissance facade in the city (1537).

Coat of arms of Bruges - the Old Civic Registry (detail)

Basilica of the Holy Blood

This 12th century Gothic basilica is well known for its venerated relic of Christ, a fragment of cloth stained with what is said to be the blood of Christ, wiped from his body after the crucifixion.

Basilica of the Holy Blood (detail)

The relic is kept in a magnificent tabernacle. Every year, in the Procession of the Holy Blood, on Ascension Day, the bishop of Bruges leads the relic through the streets, accompanied by locals acting out biblical scenes.

Basilica of the Holy Blood (detail)

One of the gilded statues of the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Tourists in Burg

View of Huidenvettersplein

Holy Savior’s Cathedral

This Gothic cathedral with an impressive 100m belfry has been Bruges' cathedral since 1834, after its predecessor was demolished by the French around 1800.

Junction of Sint-Salvatorskerkhof with Korte Vuldersstraat

Just like in the movies

View from the Green Canal (Groenerei)

The Groenerei is considered one of the prettiest walk-to attractions in Bruges. It offers some amazing views.

Junction of Vlamingstraat and Augustijnenrei

Along the Augustijnenrei

Along the Augustijnenrei

Along the Augustijnenrei

Along the Augustijnenrei

Saint Walburga Church (Sint-Walburgakerk)

The magnificent Sint-Walburgakerk (St. Walburga’s Church), in Sint-Maartensplein was built between 1619 and 1643 and it is one of the few baroque monuments in Bruges' display of Gothic. Sint-Walburgakerk was the Jesuit church of Bruges until 1774.

View from the Langestraat

Hot air balloon over Bruges

Bruges delicacies

Water fountain for horses in Wijngaardplein

Horse-drawn carriage in Bruges

Road partner for the horse-drawn carriage

Horse-drawn carriage in Wijngaardplein

A very popular cat amoung tourists in Wijngaardplein

Wijngaardplein, near Begijnhof

One of the symbols of Bruges is the swan. Legend has it that in 1488 the people of Bruges had executed one of the town administrators belonging to the court of Maximilian of Austria, husband and successor of duchess Mary of Burgundy. The town administrator was called 'Pieter Lanchals', a name which means 'long neck'. The Lanchals family coat of arms featured a white swan. Maximilian punished Bruges by obliging the population to keep swans on their lakes and canals till eternity. Most of these legends and romantic interpretations come from the 19th century.

Seeing the tower of the Church of Our Lady from Minnewater

Swan near Begijnhof

Swan in Wijngaardplein, near Begijnhof

Resting place for the swans near Begijnhof

Begijnhof - the main entrance over Minnewater

Begijnhof

This has been one of the most tranquil places in Bruges, since it was founded by the Countess Margaret of Constantinople in 1245. Begijns were religious women, similar to nuns, who accepted vows of chastity and obedience, earning their living by looking after the sick and making lace. This provided an option for women to live without a family, but also without having to become a nun. Today, Benedictine nuns who try to maintain traditions live in the Begijnhof.

The Lake of Love (Minnewater)

For most visitors the Minnewater and its lovely park are the entrance to the beautiful city of Bruges. The Minnewater is a canalized lake. Because of the idyllic surroundings it is mostly referred to as 'the lake of love', the Dutch word 'Minne' meaning 'love'.

Lake of Love and Chateau de la Faille

The castle overlooking the lake of love was built in 1890 by architect Charles de Wulf. The castle is protected as a monument since 1996. Today it serves as a popular restaurant.

Minnewater and Chateau de la Faille at night