We
had a leisurely morning and then embarked on a
2½
hour guided walking tour of Brugge.
Our
guide Frank was fantastic and
the
tour ended up lasting almost 4 hours!
Here
are a few of the places we visited with him.
The
Gross Markt or Old Market Square
is
the main public square in Bruges.
It
measures 2½
acres
and has a rich history
as
well as playing a vital part in present day events.
Historically
it was used for public gatherings and trade.
Today
you can find restaurants, cafés, stores and market stalls
on
the cobbled square which is surrounded by historic buildings.
Perhaps
the most well known building in the city,
the
Bell Tower or Belfry is on the square.
The
north side of the square is bordered by
traditional
Flemish gable-roofed houses.
On
the east side of the square is the Provincial Court house,
a
19th
century post office building
and
historic buildings with a first floor loggia.
Houses
on the west side include the Bouchoute house
with
a 15th
century screen wall; this is the oldest house in the city.
At
the center of the square is a statue of
Jan
Breydel and Pieter de Coninck,
two
local heroes from the 1302 resistance movement.
The
statue was erected in 1887.
….........................................................................................
The
Satdihuis
Bruges’
city hall building dates back to 1376
and
has been the seat of local government for over 600 years.
On
the façade there are niches featuring the painted statues
of
rulers and Biblical figures.
In an obscure corner Adam and can be found in a naughty embrace!
The
Gothic Hall has 19th
century murals of historic events,
tapestries
and a stunning vaulted oak ceiling.
…...........................................................................................
Basliek
van het Heilig-Blood
The
Church of the Holy Blood holds a treasured relic
of
Christ, the blood of Jesus.
Legend
has it that Christ’s blood was collected
in
a cloth by Joseph of Arimathea following the Crucifixion.
The
cloth stayed in Jerusalem until Crusader King Baldwin II
gave
it to his brother in law the Count of Flanders
who
brought it to Bruges.
The
Holy Blood is kept in a rock-crystal vial
in
the Church of the Holy Blood.
…............................................................................................
The
Lake of Love or Minnewaterpark is a picturesque park area
with
a rectangular lake at its heart.
The
lake was named for the tragic romantic legend
of
Minna and her lover Stromberg.
Minna
was in love with Stromberg who came from a different tribe.
Her
father disapproved and planned a marriage
between
Minna and another.
Minna
ran away into the forest and was found by Stromberg
where
she collapsed into his arms and died of exhaustion.
Legend
has it that if two lovers walk over the bridge which crosses the lake
they will stay together for eternity.
Lovers
and others can enjoy the tranquil surroundings;
see
the swans on the water and the buildings which border the park.
On
the other side of the bridge is
the
entrance to the Brugge Beguinage.
In
the 13th
to 16th
centuries in northern Europe,
the
members of these communities lived as nuns
but
without having taken vows so they were free to leave at any time.
This
Beguinage was founded in c.1244 by Margaret of Constantinople.
The
complex of buildings includes a Gothic-style church
and
a row of whitewashed houses from the 16th
-18th
century.
The
buildings enclose a central courtyard and
are
surrounded by trees and lawns.
Visitors
enter the complex via the quaint stone Wijngaard Bridge
and
through the main gate created by Hendrik Bultynck in 1776.
Since
1927 the Beguinage has been a Benedictine convent
and
the peaceful atmosphere is still preserved;
visitors
are urged to keep their voices down.
During
our visit to the church in the complex
the
nuns were chanting vespers.
It
was a very moving experience.
….....................................................................................
The
rest of these photos were taken today too...
I
really liked this sculpture of Papageno
a
character from the opera The Magic Flute
by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
He
is
a bird-catcher who sells his birds to the Queen of the Night.
…....................................................................
This
stone carving is on The Tanner's Square
It
was in an area that was full of dreadful odours,
the
fish mongers and butchers were also located in this area.
There
was no refrigeration or even ice available
at
the time and this fellow is indicating his
displeasure
of the odour.
…........................................................................
The
beautiful canals.
…........................................................................
A few more taken around town...
A few more taken around town...
Today
we walked 14.8 k's!
