Ancient Brugge, Brugge

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One can have a wonderful day in Bruges without any agenda or itinerary. Just walk around. Everywhere you look, there's something interesting. Don't be in a hurry; just enjoy being here. Guided walking tours are available (see the websites below).

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Another statue, another photo. As I mentioned in an earlier tip there are few statues that I pass by without taking a photo. This memorial is to Jan van Eyck. He is the most famous Flemish artist of his time. Although legend has it incorrectly that he invented oil painting, the fact is that he perfected the art of oil painting. He was born around 1390 but there is no official record of the year. He died July 9, 1441.

After spending some time in the city center we decided to take a walk to Northeast Brugges. If you are in Brugge during the high tourist season I am told that this area is a good escape from the crowds. There are many old houses and churches in this area that can be explored. There is also the beautiful Kruispoort. This is all that remains of the original city walls.
At one time the city was contained within a large wall and protected by a moat. You can see the remains of the moat in this area and also some windmills. The Kruispoort itself is dated back to 1402.

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Oldest cafe/pub in Bruges, 15??. Really nice and well kept with a wonderful garden. Can't tell you about the food since we only had a beer, ate some potato chips, took some pictures and left. It's worth coming here even if it is to take a couple of pictures. It's a 5-10 walk from the market. I have a feeling that the food here is expensive. Why do I say that? We paid 1.80 euros for a bag of potato chips

Living in Bruges, i've been guiding friends and colleagues occasionally. I gathered my information from school time, books, guides i had,... One day, i decided to write things down in a public walking guide through Bruges, similar to the guides offered for sale. You get road indications with small photos, historical background and saga for a one day trip to Bruges. I have Dutch, English and French translation. Enjoy.

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The Peerdenbrug crossing is, in itself, one of the most photogenic things I came across. Its poignant positioning over the bridge and the canal makes this monument worth a snap or two.
In fact, I liked the second shot so much I had it blown up.
It led me to being mistaken about calling the bridge the Ave Maria Brug. How that happened was that when I was telling mine host about where I'd been I mentioned that there was an Ave Maria sign up and he said immediately, "That's the Maria Brug." Not knowing any better that's what I called it for the rest of the stay until I learnt that said bridge was, in fact, about 6 blocks away.

I'd had my morning stroll and returned for breakfast. What to do next? Having missed out at Fussen on hiring a bike I determined I would have another go here, mainly because, instead of 30 euros per day, the bikes here were 6 euros a day.
I headed off down Predikherenrei (where did they get those names) and made for the shop I had noticed them in previously.
I was first away that morning. Initially, the bike was terrible. The seating position was less than comfortable even after I'd adjusted it and the "granny gear" I was stuck in made it a chore to pedal anywhere. Why didn't this bike have gears?
Anyhow, the first place I got to was one of the old entry portals to the city. These gates were standard at the entry to mediaeval cities and I love it when you can still see them. Brugge has four intact; they are the Ezelpoort (Asses' Gate), Smedenpoort (Marshall's Gate), Gentpoort (Gent Gate) and the Kruispoort (Gate of the Holy Cross) which is the one on view here.

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The Guild Houses adorn the Market Square and provide a very colourful and eye catching display. Considering this is the tourist hub of Brugge it isn't surprising to learn this is restaurant and cafe land, hard to miss really with modern signs posted on the fronts. The houses have been reconstructed during the nineteenth century in the neo gothic style. I read in a web site supporting the idea of reconstruction that buildings several centuries old have to have some work done - imagine how the Empire State Building would look in 500 years if not a brick is replaced. Yes Brugge did a good job and a lot for the tourist industry by recreating the past to provide for the needs of the future. I loved the new look and can always read or dream of the past.

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The Provincial Court Building does not date back too much in time it was renovated in the neo gothic style during the second half of the nineteenth century after the destruction of the Water Halls in 1787. Part of the building is now the house of the Governor of the Province of West Flanders. The Provincial court is a stunning light grey building which seemed to sparkle in the sunshine. Take your time to view, it has so many features and surprises, I particularly liked the windows inserted into the roof, the church like spire and the golden statue reaching for the sky.

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The Belfort or Belfry Tower is near to the Grote Markt, the square was cordoned off because a bike race had recently left from here. We could not see the Clothhall because of the huge stage structure placed in front of this lovely giant. Towering to 83 metres the organisers could not obscure our view of the Belfort. If you are feeling fit you can climb the 366 steps to the top, I heard the stair way is narrow with two way traffic, you have to stop a lot to let people pass, this was not for me I don't do stairs - what I did enjoy however was listening to the carillion of the melodious 47 bells. Bell music concerts are performed here in Summer and the tower still employs a full time bell ringer
Open all year Tuesday - Sunday 9.30 - 17.00 closed Mondays admission 5 euros.