Bruges: the Venice of the North
Tips for Visiting Bruges: An UNESCO World Heritage Site
By J. J. Scott
 It is difficult to sum of Bruges (or Brugge) in a few words. The famed cultural site has medieval streets to wander,
canals to explore, art to admire, and an entrancing charm that makes it one of
Europe’s best-loved cities. Called the Venice of the North, Bruges is one of
the world’s best-preserved medieval cities with over 600 years of history.
Get acquainted: The historic center of the city is easy to
navigate on foot but the best introduction to Bruges is achieved by hopping on
the City Bus Tour that departs from Market Square every hour on the hour.
 The
50-minute get-acquainted tour of the city is narrated in several languages and
stops at all the most important places in the city. Tickets are available on the
bus.
www.citytour.be
Canal Tour: The magic of Bruges comes shining through on a
boat ride on the picturesque canals of Bruges, where one can admire the city’s
most beautiful sites from a totally different angle. The 30-minutes tour has
multi-lingual guides who share the stories and history of the city. The boat
turns around in Minnewater, a picturesque pond with elegant white swans.
 The
guide relates that in 1488 the people of Bruges had executed one of the town
administrators belonging to the court of Maximilian of Austria. The town
administrator was called “Pieter Lanchals,” a name that means “long neck.” The
Lanchals family coat of arms featured a white swan. According to the legend,
Maximilian ordered the people of Bruges to keep swans on their lakes and canals
forever. Today the swans are a symbol of Bruges.
Market Square: The lively Market Square is always busy with
shoppers and tourists. People watching is fun and the Market Square is the place
to do it; plus, it is also the place to dine.
 But this is the place everyone
should slow down and just sit in one of the cafes and admire the gabled medieval
buildings.
Belfry Tower: The 272-foot Belfry Tower is one of the
symbols of Bruges and can be seen from almost everywhere in the historic center
of the city. Its magnificent 47-bell carillon peals out over the city every 15
minutes. In the summer there are longer concerts several times a day. The lower
section dates from 1240, the corner turrets were added in the 14th century, and
the upper octagonal section in the 15th century. The reward for climbing the 366
steps to the top of the Belfry is a breathtaking, panoramic view of Bruges and
the surrounding countryside all the way to the sea.
 Take a break during the
climb at the second-floor Treasury, where the town seal and charters are kept.
Groeninge Museum: If there is only time for one museum it
should be the Groeninge Museum with an excellent collection of Flemish medieval
painting including the fantastic Hieronymous Bosch triptych and works by Jan Van
Eyck, one of the most renowned Flemish artists. The Groeninge ranks among
Belgium's leading museums of fine arts with a collection that covers paintings
in the Low Countries from the 15th to the 20th centuries.
Church of Our Lady: What makes the gothic Church of our
Lady well worth the visit is a small marble statue of
Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. A Bruges merchant brought the amazing
work of art to the city during the Renaissance.
 Crafted in the 1500s in Carrara
marble, the lifelike statue is the only known piece of Michaelangelo's artwork
to leave Italy during his lifetime.
The Fools: Visit the Halve Maan Brewery for a taste of
Bruges Zot, Brugge Fool. The name is as interesting as the taste. Many years
ago the people of Bruges organized a colorful parade of merrymakers and fools to
welcome Maximilian of Austria to their town. When they asked him at the end of
the day to provide money for a new madhouse he replied, “Today I have seen
nothing but fools. Bruges is already one large madhouse!” Since then the people
of Bruges have proudly accepted the name, “Bruges Zotten” (fools of Bruges).
While Bruges Zot may be the newest brew, the brewery as been around since the
1500s.
www.halvemaan.be
Yummy! Everything you wanted to know about chocolate
including the evolution of hot chocolate from its first known uses by the Incas
and Aztecs is found at the Chocolate Museum. Displays promote the health and
quality aspects of Belgian chocolate. The tour ends with a chocolate making
demonstration and a yummy sample. While wandering the streets of Bruges stop at
the chocolate shops to sample the excellent Belgian chocolate.
www.choco-story.be
 Lace: Shopping in Bruges is a delight but for that one
special remembrance to take home it has to be something made of lace. Before
making a purchase learn about the lace and lace making at the lace museum. The
museum is a combination workshop, museum, and sales room where the ancient art
of lace making is passed on to the next generation. Visitors can watch the
artisans make lace items. It will be evident why the handmade lace is more
expensive and of higher quality than the machine-made lace.
www.kantcentrum.com
 Day trips: Making Bruges the home base and taking day trips
is a great idea. The most popular day trips are to Flanders and operated by the
same company that runs the city tours. For a do-it-yourself trip visit Damme, a
pretty and historic village, is less than five miles from Bruges. Until 1520 it
was the city's outer harbor, where seagoing ships loaded and unloaded their
cargoes, until the Zwin inlet silted up. A small stern-wheel paddle steamer
provides service several times a day.
There is plenty more in Bruges and the area making it a
favorite destination for Europeans and non-Europeans alike. Visit the Town Hall,
Diamond Museum, Folklore Museum, Memling Museum, and the Basilica of the Holy
Blood. For more information
www.brugge.be.
 Getting to Bruges: Getting to Bruges by train is quick,
easy, and reasonable from the international airport. Plan to stay in Brussels
for a couple of day – it is on the way and a great city with plenty to see and
do, including the Grand-Place, Royal Palace, and Cinquantenaire, where visitors
can travel from past into the future and back again in just a few steps. While
wandering around enjoy the Comic Strip Art displayed on buildings throughout the
city then visit the famed Belgium Center for Comic Strip Art; and, of course,
don’t forget to pay homage to the famed Manneken-Pis, a small statue that has
hundreds of costumes.
 Recommended accommodation:
The Hotel Heritage, situated just steps from Bruges' Market
Square, is the perfect place to call home while in Bruges. The hotel was an
1869-mansion but it also includes part of a 14th century cellar that is now the
fitness center with a Turkish steam bath, solarium, and sauna. Check out the
uppermost room with the incredible view of the Bell Tower. The service and
ambiance are excellent and personal.
www.hotel-heritage.com
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