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Sightseeing in Bruges - Belgium Travel

What to see in Bruges

The Market (market square) is a large and spacious cobbled square right in the centre of Bruges and is at the very heart of this medieval city. This is where, in former times, the people of Bruges gathered for weekly open air markets, trade fairs, spectacular medieval jousts, public rallies and to watch public executions. To this day a market is held there every week (now on Wednesdays from 8am to 1pm). The only traffic noise in this fine square is the clattering of bicycles and horse-drawn carriages across the cobbles and it is the perfect place to start your visit to the city.

It is hard to miss the Markt because of the soaring tower of the flat-topped Belfort (belfry) which dominates the south side of the Markt and indeed the city's skyline. Most of the 17 th century gabled houses on the north and west sides of the Markt are now home to souvenir shops, banks and restaurants while the east side is dominated by the neo-Gothic Provinciaal Hof (the West Flanders government house) and the Post Office. These two buildings stand on the site of the old Waterhalle (a covered hall over the Kraanrei canal) which until the late 18 th century was used to bring cargoes of goods right into the centre of the city. The 19 th century statue in the middle of the Markt is a monument to Peter de Coninck (a one-eyed weaver) and Jan Breydel (a butcher) who, in 1302, led a dawn uprising in which the French garrison based in the city was massacred.

Belfort

Not only does the Belfort dominate the Bruges skyline it is also the tallest belfry in Belgium . It rises from the old covered cloth market (Hallen) and has always been a symbol of civic pride and at the heart of civic life. The Belfort was built between the 13 th and 15 th century and was originally used as a treasury for the town charters and money. In medieval times merchants used to meet in the cloth market to buy and sell the lace, cloth and tapestries for which Bruges is so famous.

If you have the energy to climb the 366 steep, narrow steps which get even narrower and steeper as you reach the top, you can expect a spectacular view of the whole city and the West Flanders polderland stretching away to the sea. You will also get to see the impressive bells, clock and 47-bell carillon which are in the top section of the belfry. The carillon rings out a tune every 15 minutes and there are complete concerts up to three times a week (depending on the time of year) performed by a full-time carilloneur.

The Burg

The Burg is a small square just off the eastern corner of the Markt through Breidelstraat and it is here that the horse-drawn carriages line up ready for hire. While the Markt was at the heart of medieval trade and merchant dealing, the Burg is the historic heart of the city. It is named after the castle which was built here in the ninth century. Even though the castle has long since gone the Burg has remained the centre of political, church and state power and has a wonderful collection of pubic buildings including the Stadhuis (town hall) and Heilig-Bloedbasiliek (Basilica of the Holy Blood).

Heilig-Bloedbasiliek

The Heilig-Bloedbaslilek (Basilica of the Holy Blood) was built to honour a rock-crystal phial of blood believed to be the blood of Jesus Christ. The 12 th century basilica is divided into two parts. The lower chapel is named after St Basil the Great (one of the great figures of the early Greek Church). The upper chapel, in which the holy blood is stored in a wonderful silver tabernacle, is known as the Chapel of the Holy Blood.

Stadhuis

To the left of the basilica is the three-turreted Stadhuis (town hall) which was originally built in the 14 th century. It is not only Belgium 's oldest town hall, it is also one of the finest and most richly ornamented of all the Flemish town halls. A grandiose staircase leads up to the Gotische Zaal (Gothic Hall) on the first floor. It still has its original carved-oak vaulted ceiling and biblical murals dating from 1385 and a collection of 19th century frescoes depicting the history of the city.

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