Bruges

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barbara
barbara
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5 out of 5
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Bruges

  • December 1, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by barbara from Atlanta, Georgia
Bruges

Bruges is sometimes called "the jewel of Flanders." It is an ancient town that has managed to survive all the wars of Europe. During the terrible violence of the early twentieth century, it might surprise you to know that on two occassions German officers who felt the town was too beautiful to be destroyed went to the effort to move actual battle lines to protect the place from bombing. Historically, since the port was silted hundreds of years before thus making certain types of development here difficult, Bruges was able to stay locked in the past that would help it enjoy the prosperity that is always brought with high levels of tourist dollars in the present.

So what is there to see here and how much time will you need to spend? For the lover of architecture, photography, art, and religious history, Bruges is a delight to be savored. With that said, we were able to get a good feel for the place in just one very full day.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a small church near the town hall that I thought was absolutely beautiful. Piped-in choir music and dim lighting in the small Romanesque chapels (there are two on separate floors) gives a kind of Goth feel to the place. But, oh! All is so lovely to see! Mystic is, indeed, the perfect adjective to have spring to mind.... In both chapels, we took a moment to just sit and look at everything around us. On the second floor you'll find a bishop on a raised dais holding the basilica's claim to glory. Here is a silver capped vial that is supposed to hold the blood of Christ. Believers are invited to venerate the relic, and they queue to go up the stairs and down again before praying. Regardless of your beliefs, this is a seriously beautiful church.

The 13th-15th century Belfry Tower is on the Market Square. The thing to do here is to climb the narrow 300+ steps to the stop to see the orange roofs of Bruges spread below you. I loved the iron work of the doors that were once used to lock up the city's money.

A canal ride is the perfect way to quickly see many of the Flemish gabled buildings that line the streets. Get to the front of the boat to hear the best. Our tour guide was only, truthfully, mediocre, but the ride itself made up for the unenthusiastic commentary.

The Church of Our Lady houses the only Michelangelo sculpture to have ever been sold to someone outside of Italy in the famous artist's lifetime. While this was interesting to see, I liked the tombs in the separate "museum" part of the church (small entrance fee.) You can view paintings on the inside plaster work that used to house the coffins of important persons. Art for the dead?

And then there are the lace shops, and the chocolate, and the art museums, and, and, and....

From journal Gems in Ghent

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