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Brugge Sights and Landmarks Guide, Belgium

Brugge Sights – The Feel of the City

With all its perfectly preserved medieval treasures, it is no wonder that Brugge became the European Capital of Culture in 2002. The historical city has exactly the same boundaries as it did in the Middle Ages and it comes with a unique atmosphere that is probably what makes Brugge such a popular destination. You can lose yourself through the narrow and tangled streets and just stop to have one of the famous Belgian cups of hot chocolate or beer; the terraces await you be it spring, summer or autumn. There are also impressive art collections in Brugge, but if you just want to relax you can always take a canal cruise or a tour of the “Chocolate story” along with your children, to get an inside look of the chocolate manufacturing process.

Brugge Sights – Must Sees

The canal system of the city dates back to the 12th century and definitely makes a lot of Brugge’s character which is accordingly called “the Venice of the North”, along with the other northern canal city, Amsterdam.

The most important monument is Our Lady’s Church with Michelangelo’s Madonna, the first statue of the famous sculptor that was taken out of Italy during his lifetime. The Beguinage of Brugge is where you should go for a peaceful atmosphere, as this group of houses with a very rich past is now a Benedictine monastery.

For a folkloric delight, you should take a stroll down Rolweg Street, which has kept its aspect and function almost intact for centuries. The best art work can be found at Groeninge Museum, but you should also visit the Diamond or Chocolate Museum to get a better view of the area’s specificity.

Some of the most impressive monuments and town gates are the Belfort, Gentpoort, Kruispoort, Ezelpoort and the City Hall, but for some more contemporary action, you should see at least one performance at the world famous Concert Hall. It is a modern building with shocking architecture that offers an ideal space for any kind of creative ideas and where you can almost always catch a high quality performance, be it theatre, music or dance.

Brugge Sights – Most Popular Activities

To align yourself to Brugge’s spirit you can take a bike tour of the city and its surroundings and understand how the locals get around most of the time, take a day trip to Brussels, or you can choose to visit the Flanders Fields and get mesmerized by the fantastic scenery. The breweries and chocolate factories are sure to astound you, so there are lots of organized tours which you can go on to taste some of the local eating and drinking habits. There is also a Planetarium and Observatory and the lovely Boudewijn Sea Park for some real family fun. Walking tours are the best way to get around in Brugge, as everything is within walking distance and you can enjoy everything at low pace, but you can also take one of the horse drawn cabs and take an intimate, romantic tour of the lovely Brugge.

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