No one thing stands out really...
by stefank60
No one thing stands out really it's just a very nice place. Can't really say too much due to shortness of visit but would happily go back again.
Lace is a speciality here as is chocolate.
Here's a major plus point that scored highly for me _ There is no Mc Global Capitalist Greed chain (you know which Mc Food chain I mean) here - or at least there wasn't when I was here. Sorry bout that but when I travel i like to see local culture, eat local food etc. It greatly saddens me when I see global multinational corporations getting everywhere eroding local character. The waterways and attractive architecture
As I said before everything...
by Sergioalc
As I said before everything is beautiful in Brugge, even the little details, like the Blinde Ezeltraat, near the TownHall in the 'Burgplein', the Burg Square. In the Justice Palace (Het Gerechtshof) visit the wonderful rooms... finally, it's possinle to visit Brugge by boat, throught its canals (When I was there the water was frozen so I must return!).
Statue of Jan van Eyck (1390 - 1441)
by irisbe
Jan Van Eyck was a renomated painter. He was born somewhere in the beginning of the 1390ties, but the exact date is not known. He was a court painter at the court of Philip the Good of Burgundy and was entrusted by the Duke with various diplomatic missions.
Together with his brother Hubert (who was said to be his teacher but died in 1432, when they both were working at the Ghent altarpiece), Jan van Eyck exploited the qualities of oilpainting and found out how to let the oil dry faster.
This gave the opportunity to paint in different transparant layers, giving more depth and expression into the paintings. Building up these layers of transparent glazes provided him a surface on which he could capture objects in the minutest detail and allowed as well for the preservation of his colours.
He was said to be a founder of the Early Renaissance style in the Northern Renaissance.
Nowhere is this better displayed than in the portrait of Giovanni di Arrigo Arnolfini, who was a merchant from Lucca and frequently visited Bruges, and his wife Giovanna Cenami. The signature on the back wall - 'Jan Van Eyck was here, 1434' - and his reflection in the mirror might leave many to believe that Jan van Eyck was a witness to their marriage. The carving of Saint Margaret, the patron saint of childbirth, on the bed, and the presence of the dog - a traditional symbol of faithfulness - accentuate the marital theme." The Ghent Altar piece can be admired at the Saint Baafs cathedral in Ghent, the painting of The Arnolfini Marriage is exposed in the National Gallery, London, UK.
Belgium and beer are one....
by tompt
Belgium and beer are one. Don't try all the beers they have, it will result in a terrible headache, and you will not be able to try them all anyway.
Brugse Triple is one you must try. It is a strong beer with 9,5% alcohol. The beer is brewed in 'De Gouden Boom' brewery.
More beers from Bruges:
- Brugge Blond 6,5%
- Abdijbier Steenbrugge Dubbel and Steenbrugge Tripel
both also from the Gouden Boom brewery.
From the Halve Maan brewery:
- Brugse Zot
- Straffe Hendrik
Rent a bike
by cudeso
You can rent a bike and take a tour outside the city, the surroundings are called "Het Brugse Ommeland" (only in Dutch: http://www.brugseommeland.be/bol/index.aspx).
There's a map that interconnects locations with trips from around 1 to 5 km. Ask your hotel-staff for a "Fietsknooppuntenkaart". If they have never heard about it make sure you find the "Tolhuis" where you can buy the map. Tolhuis is at Jan Van Eyckplein 1-2.
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getting over the shock!
Burg Square
Brugges in the winter
Menin Gate, Ieper
