Medieval Architecture ., Brugge

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Favorite thing: The gingerbread/candy-looking houses are unique in the world. The city is like from a fairy tale.

The canals - like a mini-Venice.

Very good athmosphere.

Good beer.

Fondest memory: The athmosphere, the nice people, the Belgian HUGE variety of different (good) beers, the town that is so beautiful that it made me feel like I was in the middle of a fairy tale. The colouring and shapes of the old houses. The size of the city (not too big).

Favorite thing: Can you imagine what it must have been like for the traders in earlier times to have built such a palace? You can stop for a snack or a beer in the building just opposite -- just steps from the Our Lady/Onze Leve Vrou church

Favorite thing: Wandering around the city I came across this old, abandoned house. From the outside it looked like it used to be a warehouse or factory. Curious me tried to look inside by opening one of the windows. What I saw inside looked like stables I could visualize horses inside the building, but what I could really see were lots of spider webs and dust. As I am always terrified of insects I rushed back to the street hoping that nothing is gonna jump on me out of this spooky house. I knew the Brugge authorities make all the efforts to keep the city’s old look, what I didn’t know that it can be THAT old ;-)

Favorite thing: Only four out of nine fortified city gates have survived. This one has the funniest name Ezelpoort, which means Donkey Gate. Originally it was built at the 14th century, but it also had to be rebuilt several times.
It is located away from the city center, well it’s a city gate after all, so you’ll have to walk a bit. The area is very nice, right by the Donkey Gate there is a nice little park with enormous amounts of swans and ducks.

Favorite thing:
After having a cup of fries in the Market Square, quickly leave the square .. you will have time later to come back to the Belfry. Now, take you time and wonder as many streets as posible. If you can find one ugly street in this city I'll eat it :)

Fondest memory:
One after another, houses are just great to look at. This one I could not believe my eyes. How can someone live in such a beautiful house? :) Just brilliant imho..Happy family.

Favorite thing: If you love Brugge's architecture and medieval atmosphere, I suggest you also visit Ghent. Just as pretty, but hardly any tourists, and the locals are extemely friendly. The restaurants also have much better food. Check out my Ghent page for a hotel recommendation as well. I loved Ghent, and only marginally liked Brugge.

Favorite thing: Bruges is old building after old building. So if you are not into that don't visit.
But if you like it, it is an absolut must to visit Bruges. Take your camera and enjoy. Don't always look through your lens though. Or you can bump your head as doorposts can be very low. (see Tom in the picture)

Favorite thing: Brugge is loved by American people because it's such an old city. Lots of 14-15-16-17th century buildings. So just take a stroll through the city and feel past times catch up with you.

Fondest memory: Check out www.brugge.be for tourist information.

Favorite thing: Okay so here's a little test. So you think you know alot about Brugge then?

Take a look at the picture and let me know where it is in Brugge................

I look forward to your emails and the first person with the correct answer gets a pat on the back...! (haha)

Favorite thing: Het Prinsenhof is a building that has almost completely disappeared and got replaced by cloister buildings. At the city map of Marcus Gerards, dating 1562, you still can see how it looked like in that time.
Now a neogotic succeeder replaces the buildings.
Here, at this location, the Burgundian noblesse, leaded an outrageous life with huge banquets and parties, especially the wedding of Margareta of York.
Maria of Burgundy died here and famous humanists like Erasmus and Thomas Moore stayed here.
At this moment it is renovated again and if I am not mistaken it will be a quite expensive (that is it already) hotel.