What Can You See There?
The city center of Bruges is made up of several squares. Markt and Burg, the two main squares, are interspersed with canals. In addition, the facades of the buildings with medieval gables make this city look like a scene from a fairy tale.
The most prominent is Burg Square, the vibrant center of Bruges. Not only is it surrounded by colorful medieval houses, but it also features the 83-meter-high Belfry, considered the most important tower in Bruges.
For centuries, this tower has been an important vantage point during wars, fires, or other disasters, according to a travel guide. It is also an independent symbol of the people of Bruges.
Under the tower are the halls designated for trade and include several rooms where artisans sell their products. The second floor is the treasury and the archive of Bruges. The annual asset summaries since 1281 are kept here, usually in Latin until 1300, and then in the vernacular.
Before the 16th century, bells were operated manually. The way the bell rings with different sounds sends specific messages:
• It is not allowed to walk the road without holding a torch;
• Announce the festivals.
Every Wednesday, at the foot of the Cchuông Tower, a farmers’ market will be held. This is where some local residents sell flowers, dishes like pork rolls, and fruits and vegetables. But we came here on a Monday, so we didn’t see anything.
And typically, the Flemish-style cathedral
Located behind the famous tower is the Basilica of the Holy Blood of Bruges, which took more than two centuries to complete. This is a place that houses many religious artworks, including the sculpture of the Virgin Mary by Michelangelo, as a travel guide indicates.
This basilica has a tower that stands 115.6 meters tall (excluding the cross), making it one of the tallest brick buildings in the world.
The Tower was built in the Flemish style, becoming a model for many bell towers in the coastal towns and cities of the Flanders region. Reaching high, catching the strong winds, this bell tower leaves its mark on the sky of Bruges, just like the city’s bell tower. But we just passed by, admiring its facade. Then, a horse-drawn carriage took us through the winding streets starting from Markt Square.
Throughout the journey, the coachman spoke, recounting anecdotes and comments in a somewhat incomprehensible French; clearly, he had memorized everything! The residents of Bruges speak Flemish, one of the three official languages of Belgium, along with French and German.
To be honest, I really enjoyed this trip. It feels like traveling back in time: the clattering of horse hooves on the cobblestone road, the strong smell of horses, the colorful attire of the coachman…
Additionally, since we were sitting in the carriage, higher than the pedestrians, our line of sight was completely unobstructed. During that brief tour, we were also taken to the Béguinage area, a small corner of the city where the Benedictines reside, and where the carriage would stop for a few minutes to let the driver water the horses. It was a brief break, and we took the opportunity to snap a few photos. (Many years have passed, and those photos, now I can no longer keep.)
We also crossed the bridges spanning the canals – the city has up to 12 km of canals – near Belfroi, passing by all 16 churches of this city – if I remember correctly – from Bourg Square, where the Town Hall is located…
However, the half-hour horse-drawn carriage ride is quite expensive: 50 euros. Some people told us that it was a tourist trap… But, since there are three of us, we can handle it.
