Belfry Tower/ Belfort ., Brugge

4 more images

Favorite thing:

In the third chapter of Bruges-la-Morte, the Belfort Tower or Belfry of Bruges is described as being “immense and black, defending itself against the invading night with the golden shield of its dial.”

This bell tower is known in Flemish as Halle en Belfort and in French as La Tour des Halles. It is at least 83 meters tall (88 meters according to Emporis) and leans to the left by 1.19 meters. This makes it look slightly unstable, but it has been leaning like that for the past four centuries, so there doesn’t seem to be any immediate danger that it might fall over.

The Belfort is a distinctive landmark but is only the second tallest tower in Brugge, the tallest being the steeple of the Church of Our Lady.

Hugues Viane only glanced briefly at the Belfort Tower, because he was trying not to lose sight of the young woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his dead wife.

http://www.emporis.com/building/belfort-van-brugge-bruges-belgium

Location of the Belfort on OpenStreetMap


Chapter Three: The Theatre

Favorite thing: Belgium likely has the most beautiful centers of towns of any country I have visited. While many are larger (Beijing, Mexico City) those in Belgium are beautiful. It alternated between clouds and sun the day we visited but this is the picture I captured of the center of Brugge

Favorite thing: Except for being an impressive, 83 meters high, midieval tower Belfry used to be a treasury of the royalty.
The tower was destoyed by fire for several times and had to be rebuilt, however some parts of it were never rebuilt again.

Belfry is located at the Grote Markt and it is possible to climb its 366 steps all the way to the top of the tower.
Contact the local tourist information center to check the visitors' hours.

Favorite thing:
I was in Brugge's Market Square just one day after being in Bruxelles' Grote Markt .. and I couldn't say which one is bigger. But size didn't matter. The fact is that they are two different type of squares, despite the fact they look the same idea when you look at some pictures in a travel guide. Being there instead gives you an opportunity to experience feelings .. and Brugge induces a different feeling than Bruxelles.

Fondest memory:
Ok, what I wanted to tell in such many words :) is that the Belfry Tower makes the City Square special .. well .. the surrounding buildings are also great pieces of work, but the Belfry has something special .. I couldn't move my eyes from it .. and after one .. two .. tours in Brugge .. I came back again in the Market Square and caught myself admiring again the Belfry. Maybe it's just me :)

One can see here the unnapropriate heavy use of the polarizer

Fondest memory: ...and yet, sooo far away, awwwww! From the observation deck at the summit of the Belfort here, you can see how many km. you are from many different European locations. Only 270km from fabulous, wonderful, incomparable PARIS, ohhhh! if only there were time for a quick Thalys trip over to the City of Lights. Not this time. Next year, though. Mark these words. ;-)))

Favorite thing: You must go and see Belfort Tower, The City Hall, The Holy Blood Church, Brugge Cathedral, The O.L.V. Church, the canals & you must pay a visit to a brewery or chocolate making tour.

Fondest memory: Going to the funfair and acting crazy in 'The haunted house' was quite nice to do LOL. I also loved shopping here and making lots and lots of pictures of all Brugges beauty.

Favorite thing: If you do nothing else in Bruges except eat chocolate and drink beer you absolutely must take the time to climb the 366 slippery steps of the Belfort.

Fondest memory: While climbing the Belfort the 47 bells of the carillon were singing out for the world to hear. Later on the walk down I had the opportunity to meet the bellplayer Aime Lombaert and thank him for his talent.

Favorite thing: Go on a trip on the canals. There are several quays where you can board the boats for a commented sightseeing trip well worth the money. The picture here is of the most photographed view in town - the canal and the belfry together are on numerous postcards.

Fondest memory: Staying a weekend and being almost alone when the daytrippers go home in the evening. Illuminated buildings and the clapping of horses trotting home to rest...and of course I love the beer list in my favourite pub.

Favorite thing: The mediaeval belfry tower (13th-15th century) is 88 metres in height and houses the former city treasury, in which Bruges' valuables (money and royal charters) were once kept. A climb of 366 steps takes the visitor past the impressive clock mechanism and culminates in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. The famous 47-bell carillon is also located here

Favorite thing: This is the Belfort tower, you can climb all the way up if you like.
I imagne it is a beautiful view up there, because of the bad weather we decide to leave the climb for an other time.