Attractions of Bruges and Things to do | Bruges|Belgium
Attractions of Bruges and Things to do | Bruges|Belgium
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Bruges (Dutch: Brugge) is a town
in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. Relatively cosmopolitan and
bourgeois given its compact size, it is one of the best preserved pre-motorised
cities in Europe and offers the kind of charms rarely available elsewhere.
Bruges is a postcard perfect stop on any tour of Europe.
Climate
Even by Belgian standards, Bruges
has a poor reputation for its weather. Compared to other western European
cities like London and Paris, the weather in Bruges is colder and more damp. Even
in July and August, average daily maximum temperatures struggle to exceed 21° C
(70° F) and rainfall averages 203 mm (8 in) a month. After October,
temperatures drop off quite rapidly and winter months are damp and chilly. The
summer visitor should always be prepared for rain in Bruges and that warm and
sunny weather is not constant during that season.
Attractions
of Bruges and Things to do
Gorgeous Bruges is a tourist's
dream. This is Belgium's most perfectly preserved medieval town, and its
jaw-dropping, beautiful architecture attracts more than two million visitors
every year. If you're short of time on your Belgium travels, Bruges should be
your number one stop. With its wealth of interesting old buildings and its
canals, Bruges still retains a distinct medieval air. Anyone taking a walk
through the narrow streets or a boat trip on the canals falls immediately under
its spell, charmed by the atmosphere of what is for many the most delightful of
all the cities of Flanders (the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium).
Because the center of Bruges is comparatively small, even those with only a day
to spend sightseeing can expect to take away a good idea of all the major
attractions. Essential viewing should definitely include at least the main
square with the belfry, the Burg with the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and a
trip on the canals.
Basilica
of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood
(Heilig-Bloedbasiliek) presides over the central plaza known as the Burg. The
church is famous for the crystal vial kept inside that is reputed to contain a
drop of Christ's blood brought back from the Holy Land by Dietrich of Alsace in
1149 on his return from the Second Crusade. Each year in May, this sacred relic
is carried through the streets of Bruges in the Procession of the Holy Blood.
The facade of the basilica with its three Flamboyant-style arches and gilded
statues was erected between 1529 and 1534. The basilica itself consists of a
Romanesque lower chapel and a late Gothic upper chapel, which houses relics of
St. Basil brought from Palestine by Robert II, Count of Flanders. An elegant
spiral staircase leads to the upper chapel (built in 1480) where every Friday
the vial containing the Holy Blood is brought out and shown to the faithful.
Town
Hall
On the southeast side of the Burg
is Bruges' Town Hall (Stadhuis), one of the oldest in Belgium, having been
constructed between 1376 and 1420. The facade of the delicate Gothic building
displays the strong vertical emphasis characteristic of the style, with soaring
pilasters, three of which end in octagonal turrets, separated by tall Gothic
arched windows. Statues of the counts of Flanders from Baldwin Iron Arm onwards
fill the 49 niches. Inside, don't miss the great Gothic Hall on the first floor
with its beautiful timber vaulting, which dates from 1402, and its murals
recording events in the town's history by A and J de Vriendt (1895-1900).
Groeninge
Museum
Known as 'The city museum of Fine
Arts', it houses a collection of artworks that span several centuries
(14th-20th), focusing mainly on works by painters who lived and worked in
Bruges. €8 / €6 (audioguide and ticket Arents House and Forum+ included in the
entrance).
Brewery
De Halve Maan
This brewery annex beer museum
offers a tour of the beer making process. A history of the brewery is provided,
as well as an overview of the city from its tower. The tour lasts for 45
minutes and is a good way to get a feel for Belgian beer making. The tours
start at the exact turn of the hour, be at least fifteen minutes early as there
is a maximum amount of people that can join. The entrance price includes one
drink of Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik and is served after the tour at the
outside terrace or indoor bar. €7.00 including 1 beer.
Onze
Lieve Vrouwkerk, Mariastraat.
A fascinating church with architecture from
the Romanesque and Gothic periods. In the east end of the church are very fine
tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy - in contrasting
Gothic and Renaissance styles, despite their superficial similarity. The church
also houses one of the few Michelangelo sculptures outside of Italy, the
"Madonna with child". Currently 2 euro to see the Michelangelo.
Jerusalem
church
In a quiet area of the city, a
highly unusual church with octagonal tower built by the Adornes brothers, merchants
of Italian extraction. It includes a fine black tournai marble tomb, late
Gothic stained glass, and a tiny and rather spooky chapel containing an effigy
of the dead Christ. The entrance fee also covers the Lace Museum in the former
Adornes mansion, where you can see local women and girls learning this
traditional craft.
Snow
and Ice sculpture festival, Station Bruges
Every year from the end of
November to January you can visit the Snow and Ice sculpture festival on the
station-square of Bruges. The festival is built by an international team of 40
professional artists from no less than 300 tons of crystal clear ice and
400,000 kilos of fresh snow in a cooled hall where the temperature remains a
constant -6°C. Don't forget to wear warm clothing! 11 - 15 EUR.
Running
If you are a runner, try running
the 7km circle around the old center. Walk along the canal and see all of the
medieval gates that used to control the traffic in and out of Bruges. Simply
stunning!
Bruges
Ballooning
Daily hot air balloon flights
over the historic centre and its surroundings. The best way to enjoy the
romance of Bruges — and its stunning views — from a few hundred meters up in a
balloon basket.
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