About an hour train ride outside of Brussels, Belgium, is a little town known as Bruges. The city was built around a system of canals that linked the city to the sea. In this manner, Bruges flourished as a trade center. Houses of Flemish architecture line up along the edge of the canals and arched bridges connect one side to the other. In some spots, trees and vines drape down to touch the water, creating a very whimsical, old world feeling. Today, Bruges is the largest city and the capital of a western province in Flanders, which is the northern area of Belgium. The city has become a cultural center for Belgium and the Dutch-influenced culture.
Once in Bruges, the first thing you must do is take a boat ride through the canals. The tour takes you under medieval bridges, by the Church Of Our Lady, by Lover's Lake dotted with swans, and by the smallest window in the world. This is a beautiful way to experience Bruges and to get a feel for the medieval history of the city.
In the Church of Our Lady, is one of the most famous pieces of artwork-Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. There are countless other pieces of valuable artwork in the church as well. The architecture of the church shows the typical style of the Bruges' craftsmanship. The tombs of two Belgian royals, Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy, are also kept here.
In the main square is the most important of Bruge's bell towers. The Belfry Tower is just over 272 feet tall. If you are willing, you can climb up the 366 steps to the top! After the exhausting treck up, relax and enjoy the breathtaking view of the city below.
The grandiose city hall is also definitely worth a visit. It is over 600 years old, making it the oldest city hall in Belgium!! It is built in the gothic style with statues on the façade and gold leaf accents. Now, there is a museum on the first floor that gives the history of the city and displays many artifacts like the first modes of currency used in Burges.
Belgium is known to make the best quality of chocolate, and here in Bruges, it comes together as Bruges is the chocolate capital. The city even has its own official chocolate-the Bruges Swan. It was created in 2006 and contains almond paste, gruut (a local spiced flour), and kletsekoppem (a Bruges biscuit) as part of the secret recipe. Make sure to stop by one of the cofectionars to buy the Bruges Swan.
Bruges was the home to many Dutch fine painters and artists like Jan van Eyck. Today Bruges still holds onto its cultural past by collecting these artworks and offering them to the public in more than 26 museums. The Groeninge Museum holds many of the fine Dutch and Belgian pieces of art from the best Flemish painters: Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, Hugo van der Goes, and Gerard David. The collection also includes neoclassical painters such as Suvée, Duvivier, Ducq, Odevaere, and Kinsoen.
The best way to explore Bruges is to buy the Brugge City Card. The card costs 43 euros which is around 53 USD. With this card access to most places of interest, including the ones above, are free. Most places cost some where between 4-8 euros so if you plan on visiting all the sights, this is money saver! Check out the Bruges website for other places to visit! https://bezoekers.brugge.be/discovering-bruges
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