Bruges - Sights

Sights

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. The historic centre of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.

Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire reaches 122.3 m (401.25 ft), making it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.

Bruges' most famous landmark is its 13th-century belfry, housing a municipal carillon comprising 48 bells. The city still employs a full-time carillonneur, who gives free concerts on a regular basis.

Other famous buildings in Bruges include:

• The Beguinage
• The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Dutch: Heilig-Bloedbasiliek). The relic of the Holy Blood, which was brought to the city after the Second Crusade by Thierry of Alsace, is paraded every year through the streets of the city. More than 1,600 inhabitants take part in this mile-long religious procession, many dressed as medieval knights or crusaders.
• The modern Concertgebouw ("Concert Building")
• The Old St-John's Hospital
• The Saint Salvator's Cathedral
• The Groeningemuseum
• The City Hall on the Burg square
• The Provincial Court (Provinciaal Hof)
• The preserved old city gateways: the Kruispoort, the Gentpoort, the Smedenpoort and the Ezelpoort. The Dampoort, the Katelijnepoort and the Boeveriepoort are gone.

Bruges also has a very fine collection of medieval and early modern art, including the world-famous collection of Flemish Primitives. Various masters, such as Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck, lived and worked in Bruges.

• The Church of Our Lady.

• The Dijver canal and the tower of the Church of Our Lady.

• The Provinciaal Hof.

• The Kruispoort.

• The Dweersstraat.

• The Beguinage.

• The Groenerei (canal).

• View from the Rozenhoedkaai.

• An aerial view over one of Bruges' canals.

• Bridge at Bruges, (ca. 1919)
  by Louis Dewis.

• Roofs of old houses in the city centre.

• The Burg square with the City Hall.

• View of the Steenstraat with the St. Salvator's Cathedral in the background.

• Part of the Markt (market square).

• The Katelijnestraat.

• The Bonne-Chière windmill.