Visit Bruges (Brugge): tourist information, photos and sightseeing guide

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< Up	Travel / Tours / Belgium / Bruges
Visit Bruges (Brugge) in Belgium


Sections:	Introduction
	Belfry
	Burg
	Shopping
	Carriage rides
	Beguinage
	Boat rides
	Churches
	Windmills
	City gates
	Further information
	Links

Berlitz Bruges and Ghent Pocket Guide
Authors: Brigitte Lee, Jack Messenger
Publisher: Berlitz Publishing Company Ltd
Date: April 2003

Bruges
Publisher: Insight Guides
Date: April 2004

INTRODUCTION

Bruges (known locally as Brugge) is one of Belgium's most popular tourist destinations, mainly because of its attractive buildings and canals.

BELFRY

Dominating the market square (Markt) is the 83m-high belfry (bell-tower). The lower sections were built in the 13th century, and the octagonal top part was added in the 15th century. The city used to store its charter of rights here in medieval times.

You can enjoy fine views if you climb the 366 steps to the top. Because the staircase in narrow, you may have to queue for a while before you are able to enter.

There are 47 bells inside: these can be rung either mechanically or by hand.

BURG

Burg is a very attractive square close to Markt. This was originally the centre of Bruges. The Town Hall is built in Gothic style and was completed in about 1400.

Oude Griffie
(Old Recorder's House)

Brugse Vrije
(Municipal Offices)

Stadhuis
(Town Hall)

SHOPPING

Two of the most popular souvenirs you can buy in Bruges are Belgian chocolates and lace. Belgian food is well-known for its quality, so if you have time you can enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants, perhaps some mussels washed down with some Belgain beer ... ?

Belgian chocolates for sale

Lace souvenirs

CARRIAGE RIDES

You can take a carriage ride starting from the market square (near the belfry). Up to four people can ride in a carriage. There can be long queues at busy times. Rides last about half an hour, including a short stop for the horses to rest at Wijngaardplein (near the Beguinage).

BEGUINAGE

The Béguinage (Begijnhof) is a quiet, green square where béguines (members of a sisterhood created in the 13th century) used to live and worship. Nuns now live in some of the buildings. Nearby is the Minnewater, another peaceful spot known as the "lake of love".

BOAT RIDES

For a different view of Bruges, take a boat ride. There are several different boarding points in the centre of Bruges. You may need to queue for a while.

Enjoy a boat trip on the canals

Sint Janshospitaal (Memling Museum)

CHURCHES

The Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk) in Mariastraat was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It includes a marble statue by Michelangelo and some fine paintings. The spire is the tallest one in Belgium.

Only a short walk from here is St Salvator's. This became Bruges' cathedral in 1788, after French soldiers destroyed the previous cathedral. It is Roman Catholic, and the main place of worship in Bruges.

Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk)

St Salvator Kathedraal

WINDMILLS

Most tourists stay in the centre of Bruges, which can become quite crowded. If you want to explore quieter spots, try walking along the streets and canals to the north of the main squares.

If you walk to the east you can enjoy a riverside walk, along which there are several windmills. St Janshuismolen is a restored original windmill originally put up in 1770.

There are several windmills ...

... next to the river

CITY GATES

In medieval times Bruges was surrounded by a city wall. Most of the wall was taken down in the 19th century, but city gates still mark the entrance points. The Kruispoort (to the east) is about 600 years old.

Kruispoort

Gentpoort

FURTHER INFORMATION

* Booking a tour
Anderson Tours: Travel/Tours/Company/AndersonTours
International Friends: Travel/Tours/Company/InternationalFriends

* Visitor information
Bruges Tourist Information: http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/index.htm
There are a number of museums to visit in Bruges. including:
Groeninge Museum (fine arts)
Gruuthuse Museum (fine arts)
Arentshuis Museum (lace, paintings)
Museum voor Volkskunde (folk museum)
Kantcentrum (lace-making)
Brugse Brouwerij-Mouterijmuseum (beer brewing)
Choco-Story (chocolate-making)

* Independent travel to Bruges
It is easy to visit Bruges by train: journeys from Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp take less than 1 hour. The station's name is Brugge. If you travel to Brussels from London by Eurostar, you can continue your journey to Bruges at no extra cost (you must travel within 24 hours of arriving in Brussels).

* Weather forecast for Bruges
See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=4143

* More photos
360 degree panoramic picture of Markt: http://www.360travelguide.com/idisp.asp?iCode=brg01

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LINKS

Anderson Tours: Travel/Tours/Company/AndersonTours
Visit Belgium: Travel/Tours/Belgium
Visit Brussels: Travel/Tours/Belgium/Brussels
Visit Ghent: Travel/Tours/Belgium/Ghent
Visit Ostend: Travel/Tours/Belgium/Ostend
Visit Amsterdam: Travel/Tours/Netherlands/Amsterdam
Eurostar tickets: Shop/Company/Eurostar
Useful links relating to Belgium and the UK: Links/Belgium

Home page: Home

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