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Few cities in Europe can compare with Bruges, the most romantic city on the continent. Located a short walk from Brussels, Bruges appears to be straight out of a fairy tale, especially at night, when it empties of tourists and lets its part emerge medieval, which still remains intact. The brick houses, the bell towers, the old bridges, the cobbled streets and the canals that cross the city: here's what to see in Bruges, the enchanted city.
Grote Markt
The city of Bruges is full of extraordinary corners but one of the most beautiful spots is the Market Square, the so-called Grote Markt. During the Middle Ages, it was the point where the city's trade developed, today it is the center and point of greatest tourist interest. Here you can see the typical colorful houses with pointed roofs. They were once the headquarters of corporations, while now there are numerous cafes and restaurants.
Here we also find the Justice palace and Belfort, the symbolic tower of Bruges, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Climbing the 366 steps you reach the bell tower, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the entire city.
In reality, the most beautiful view is the one you can see from the balcony of the hotel bar.Historium Museum, considered the most incredible view of Bruges.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
It is very close to the Grote Markt Castle, one of the main squares of the city. Here, in addition to the beautiful Gothic town hall, we find the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a sacred relic: a fragment of the fabric used by Joseph of Arimathea to dry the blood of Christ after the crucifixion.
The basilica is made up of two parts: the lower Romanesque chapel of San Basilio and the upper chapel of the Holy Blood, in Gothic style.
Church of Our Lady
Also called “Michelangelo's Church”, the Church of Our Lady it is a splendid example of Flemish art. Inside, the Madonna di Bruges, a sculpture by Michelangelo in Carrara marble, the only work by the artist in Belgium. The statue was purchased in 1506 by the Mouscron family, when Michelangelo was still alive.
Museums
Il Museo Groening, also known as the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts, contains the majority of works of art from the 15th to the 20th century by artists who lived in Bruges. Masterpieces by Flemish authors such as Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and Hugo van der Goes and also paintings of Flemish expressionism and post-war works.
Il Museo Memling, instead, housed in the old hospital complex of San Giovanni, is the museum of the hospital and the ancient pharmacy. Furniture, documents and medical instruments relating to the history of the hospital are kept here. In the chapel, numerous works by the great Flemish painter Hans Memling, including the Shrine of Saint Ursula, a wooden casket containing the relics of the saint.
Il Begijnhof
Not far from the center, there is the Begijnhof, the Beguinage of the Bruges vineyard, a very quiet area where you can enjoy peace and relaxation even in high season. Originally it was a convent, where pious women lived, often widows, who decided to dedicate themselves to God.
What to eat in Bruges
Not just culture, Bruges is also famous for chocolate museum and French fries museum. These two foods, in fact, are among the most representative of the local gastronomic culture. The chips are served with dozens of different sauces, including Belgian mayonnaise, the tastiest. The chips accompany another of Bruges' specialities: the mussels. Often, in fact, the two dishes are served together (le Moules and frites).
Among other local dishes, i shrimp, eels, boiled meat. Also typical waffles, garnished with chocolate or whipped cream.
Bruges and beer
You can't leave Bruges without trying at least two or three types of Belgian beer. First, a visit to a brewery and the De Halve Maan museum, to get into the right atmosphere. The brewery, founded in 1856 and completely renovated in 2005, is located downtown and can be reached on foot.
At the end of the guided tour, tasting the beers is obviously a must!
The De Halve Mann brewery also presented plans for a brewery, an underground route for the transport of beer, to limit the production of CO2.
Belgium is one of the eleven countries where they are produced Trappist beer, the beers produced by Trappist monks, who use the proceeds from sales to maintain the monastery. In Belgium there are six abbeys where Trappist beer is produced and beer lovers cannot fail to visit at least one of them.
