Minnewater
For many years I wanted to visit the medieval city of Brugge in Belgium. Recently, I had an unexpected chance to do so. I hopped on a train and 40 minutes - and 6.50 euros for a round trip ticket later - I was there!
The name Brugge (or Bruges in French and English) has a possible origin in the Keltic word for dock. It may mean ‘bridge’ and may refer to water. For a city full of canals and bridges, it is a fitting name.
The city was granted city rights in 1128 and became the county capital of Flanders. Cloth merchants and tradesmen settled here as the city became a trading gateway. In 1309 the world’s first stock exchange opened here! Weavers, spinners, painters and writers all added value and recognition to the city. According to one tourism website, the first book in English was published in Brugge.
In the train station I spotted a Tourist Information office and picked up a paper map of the city. This gives me a better perspective than a screen map. However, using iMaps, I walked out of the train station and into a green city park. Strolling along a canal, Minnewater, I came to an ancient tower and continued on to the monastery. Brugge has more than 30 churches. I walked along a medieval monastery. No monks remain here but the houses have been renovated and are now home to elderly nuns, living in the peace and quiet of olden days.
From there I followed paths through the shaded park until I reached the city’s cobbled stone streets. Lots of little shops, coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants lined the narrow sidewalks. I followed the main street (Maria Street) until I spotted the boat launch. Here, as well as at several other locations, I could board a small canal boat that takes tourists around the inner heart of the city on the water. I figured that, like a Hop On-Hop Off bus, this would be a good way to get a feel for the lay of the land. You always get a different view from the water and it was fun to see the historic buildings, churches and strongholds. A boat tour is only half an hour and costs 12 euros. They don’t have covers so I was glad to do a morning tour before it got too hot or busy.
Upon return to the same quay, I had an idea of which sites I wanted to see closer up, so I walked into the large, imposing church nearby: Church of Our Lady on Maria street, which dates from the 13th and 15th centuries. This gothic structure has the third tallest brick tower in the world. It’s imposing as only these enormous churches can be with their marble, gold and cool interiors.
Brugge’s City Hall
Outside again, I continued strolling the labyrinth of cobblestone streets towards the main market square. Much of the inner city is closed to car traffic. I succumbed half way to the multitude of tiny eateries advertising Belgian chocolates, beer, fries and waffles. I had a Belgian waffle with chocolate sauce.
Markt
Fortified, I stopped at the Rozenhoedkaai (the quay of the hat with roses) to take photos of the historic buildings reflected in the water. Then I found both The Markt and The Burg with its characteristic buildings that I had often seen in photos of Brugge - two squares lined by impressive medieval buildings. How wonderful that these historic buildings have never been leveled or destroyed in wars. Considering that Brugge is in Flanders, and knowing the devastation that took place ‘in Flanders’ fields’, this seems nothing short of a miracle. The rows of gabled houses are restored, maintained and now revered as the main tourist attractions. In fact, these squares look so picturesque that I can understand tourists believing that this is all one big open air museum rather than an authentic, real city.
There are more statues and churches to admire in Brugge but I had to retrace my steps to the train station. A few hours well spent. Brugge is a gorgeous city that is well worth a visit. And don’t forget to eat some (quite affordable) Belgian chocolates while you are here!
RESOURCES:
https://www.bruggevoorbeginners.nl
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en This is the official Belgian train website, although we always use: https://www.rome2rio.com/ for public transit in any city or country.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/belgium-bruges-and-brussels