Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cities in the world and an economic powerhouse. In addition, Bruges had become the most
important cloth market in northern Europe.
Inthe15thcentury,whileEnglandandFranceweresluggingitoutintheHundredYears'
War, Bruges was the favored residence of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy—and at peace.
Commerce and the arts boomed. The artists Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling had studios
here.
But by the 16th century, the harbor had silted up and the economy had collapsed. The
Burgundian court left, Belgium became a minor Habsburg possession, and Bruges' Golden
Age abruptly ended. For generations, Bruges was known as a mysterious and dead city. In
the 19th century, a new port, Zeebrugge, brought renewed vitality to the area. And in the
20th century, tourists discovered the town.
Today, Bruges prospers because of tourism: It's a uniquely well-preserved Gothic city
andahandygatewaytoEurope.It'snosecret,butevenwiththecrowds,it'sthekindofplace
where you don't mind being a tourist.
Bruges' ultimate sight is the town itself, and the best way to enjoy it is to get lost on the
back streets, away from the lace shops and ice-cream stands.
Bruges needs at least two nights and a full, well-organized day. Even nonshoppers enjoy
browsing here, and the Belgian love of life makes a hectic itinerary seem a little senseless.
With one day—other than a Monday, when the Groeninge and Memling museums are
closed—a speedy visitor could do the Bruges blitz described below:
9:30 Climb the bell tower on the Markt (Market Square).
10:00 Tour the sights on Burg Square.
11:30 Tour the Groeninge Museum.
13:00 Eat lunch and buy chocolates.
14:00 Take a short canal cruise.
14:30 Visit the Church of Our Lady and see Michelangelo's
Madonna and Child.
15:00 Tour the Memling Museum.
16:00 Catch the De Halve Maan Brewery tour (note that on winter weekdays, their last tour runs at 15:00).
17:00 Relax in the Begijnhof courtyard.
18:00 Ride a bike around the quiet back streets of town or take a horse-and-buggy tour.
20:00 Enjoy the low light of magic hour on the Markt, then lose the tourists and find dinner elsewhere.
If this schedule seems insane, skip the bell tower and the brewery—or stay another day.
