insideKENT Magazine Issue 24 - March 2014 | Page 120

TRAVEL

Romantic Bruges

BY GEMMA DUNN

If there was one city I was going to fall head-over-heels for it was always going to be Bruges.
From its delightful scenic canals and bridges, to its medieval Flemish architecture, chocolatiers and
romantic cobbled streets, it really does have the fairytale ending we're all looking for. And while
embodying such traditional textbook charms, it comes as no surprise that this intriguing capital
remains one of the most sought-after cities in the world.
Belfort, ©Jan Darthet

Steenhouwersdijk, © Jan D'Hondt

The capital and largest city of the province of West
Flanders in the Flemish region of Belgium, Bruges'
history stretches back to the 9th century when
it was founded by Vikings. Linked by the river
Zwin, the settlement to the North Sea, it soon
became a significant international trading port
and much like other Flemish cities, textiles proved
Bruges’ ticket to prosperity.
By the late 13th century, Bruges was a
major cloth trading centre; a success that
continued into the 14th century, whereby Bruges
became a key member of the Hanseatic League
of Seventeen Cities. A recognised hub of
commerce, the city traded with merchants from
over 34 different countries.
However this success wasn't to last, as
during the 15th century, Bruges fell into decline
after the link via Zwin to the sea silted up and
could not be rebuilt. And although art and
architecture continued to flourish into the 16th
century, by the mid 1800s, Bruges was seemingly
the poorest city in Belgium.
It was later during the 20th century that
Bruges began to pick up as an international
tourist destination, with the city's medieval heritage
at the source of its new-found wealth. Today,
the cultural metropolis that is Bruges is one of
the world's most visited destinations, often being
compared to Venice for its spectacular canals.
Like Venice, Bruges also remains famous for its
high-quality lace.

Top 10 must-see attractions
Begijnhof – Dating back to the 13th century,
Bruges' tranquil and rather delightful Begijnhof
was one of the many remarkable Flemish
Béguinages. Although the last Begijn has long
since passed away, today's residents include a
convent of Benedictine nuns.
Gotische Zaal – The majestic Gothic Hall of
Bruges is one of the city's many landmarks that
shows visitors the enclave of the old city.

the city has been governed from this same
building for more than 700 years.
Church of Our Lady – One of the city's jewels,
this gothic landmark takes the title of the highest
church tower in Europe. Fascinatingly, it also
contains the Madonna and Child sculpture by
Michelangelo.
Burg – The renowned Bruges' Markt and Burg
square showcases memorable period
architecture, while playing host to an abundance
of traditional lace and market stalls.

Groeningemuseum – One of the top museums
in Europe, the Groeningemuseum houses an
important art collection, including a fine collection
of Flemish primitives, Baroque and Renaissance
works.

Belfort – Tackle the 370 steps of the extraordinary
13th century Belfort, otherwise known as the
Belfry of Bruges. Boasting panoramic views over
the city, this landmark really is a must-visit.

Jeruzalemkerk – Stood in the western part of
St-Anna, this 15th-century Jewish church is one
of Bruges' oldest and it houses a beautiful
museum too.

Frietmuseum – Translating to the Museum of
Chips, this cultural spot does exactly what it says
on the tin and is devoted to the history of potatoes
and the production of Belgian fries.

Sint-Salvator Cathedral – The Sint-Salvator is
the stunning cathedral church of Bruges,
celebrated for retaining much of its 10th-century
roots.

Choco-Story: The Chocolate Museum – You
can't visit the city without a trip to this chocolatecrazy museum. Here, visitors can delve into the
history of cocoa and the chocolatier trade, from
the famous Jeff de Bruges to the connoisseurs
of today.

City Hall – Built in 1376, Bruges' ornate City Hall
dominates Burg square and amazingly,

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