Bruge city guide

Highlights of Bruges The 10 ‘classics’ you don’t want to miss

Medieval splendour on the Burg The Burg is the beating heart of the city.

From the 14th century town hall, which is the oldest in the Low Countries, Bruges has been governed for more than 600 years. This majestic architectural square also contains the Palace of the

Rozenhoedkaai and the Bruges canals, a typical city view

istry and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

No other location in Bruges bears greater testimony to the city’s former wealth.

(Read more on pages 75, 79 and 92)

The Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay) links the Belfry with the city’s network of canals, the true ‘veins’ of Bruges, and of-

Strolling through the old Hansa Quarter

fers a unique and picturesque pano-

From the 13th to the 15th century, Bruges was the most important trading centre in

ramic view. Hardly surprising, then,

North-West Europe. Spanish merchants settled along the Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish

that the Rozenhoedkaai is the most

Quay) and in the Spanjaardstraat. The

popular photographic hot-spot in town!

Germans or Easterners – ‘oosterlingen’

You can discover many more special

in Dutch – took up residence in the

places and hidden pearls during a boat

Oosterlingenplein. In this old Hansa

trip on the canals. From the water, Bru-

Quarter you can admire the mansions of

ges is even more enchanting. A classic

the wealthy international merchants and

that you really don’t want to miss.

the great trading nations of the day. You

Markt: an absolute must

can almost still smell the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

The vibrant centre of the city has been dominated for centuries by the 83-metre high Belfry. Today, you can climb right to

The Flemish primitives: timeless beauty

the top of this impressive tower. You will

In Bruges’ Golden Age – the 15th century – art was king. Leading artists of the day,

be rewarded with a spectacular view of

like Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling,

Bruges and the surrounding countryside.

came to live and work in the city. Today,

The Markt (Market Square) is also home

you can marvel at the masterpieces of

to the Historium, a top attraction that

the world-famous Flemish primitives

takes you back in time to the city’s medi-

in the Groeninge Museum and the

eval past. Ringed with colourful houses, the Market Square is also the regular standing

St. John’s Hospital. Here you can come

place for the famous horse-drawn carriages.

face to face with the great paintings

(Read more on pages 76 and 84-85)

that were created in the city all those centuries ago.

(Read more on pages 84 and 90)

5 HIGHLIGHTS OF BRUGES

HIGHLIGHTS OF BRUGES

4

Liberty of Bruges, the former Civil Reg-

Highlights of Bruges The 10 ‘classics’ you don’t want to miss

Medieval splendour on the Burg The Burg is the beating heart of the city.

From the 14th century town hall, which is the oldest in the Low Countries, Bruges has been governed for more than 600 years. This majestic architectural square also contains the Palace of the

Rozenhoedkaai and the Bruges canals, a typical city view

istry and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

No other location in Bruges bears greater testimony to the city’s former wealth.

(Read more on pages 75, 79 and 92)

The Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay) links the Belfry with the city’s network of canals, the true ‘veins’ of Bruges, and of-

Strolling through the old Hansa Quarter

fers a unique and picturesque pano-

From the 13th to the 15th century, Bruges was the most important trading centre in

ramic view. Hardly surprising, then,

North-West Europe. Spanish merchants settled along the Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish

that the Rozenhoedkaai is the most

Quay) and in the Spanjaardstraat. The

popular photographic hot-spot in town!

Germans or Easterners – ‘oosterlingen’

You can discover many more special

in Dutch – took up residence in the

places and hidden pearls during a boat

Oosterlingenplein. In this old Hansa

trip on the canals. From the water, Bru-

Quarter you can admire the mansions of

ges is even more enchanting. A classic

the wealthy international merchants and

that you really don’t want to miss.

the great trading nations of the day. You

Markt: an absolute must

can almost still smell the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

The vibrant centre of the city has been dominated for centuries by the 83-metre high Belfry. Today, you can climb right to

The Flemish primitives: timeless beauty

the top of this impressive tower. You will

In Bruges’ Golden Age – the 15th century – art was king. Leading artists of the day,

be rewarded with a spectacular view of

like Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling,

Bruges and the surrounding countryside.

came to live and work in the city. Today,

The Markt (Market Square) is also home

you can marvel at the masterpieces of

to the Historium, a top attraction that

the world-famous Flemish primitives

takes you back in time to the city’s medi-

in the Groeninge Museum and the

eval past. Ringed with colourful houses, the Market Square is also the regular standing

St. John’s Hospital. Here you can come

place for the famous horse-drawn carriages.

face to face with the great paintings

(Read more on pages 76 and 84-85)

that were created in the city all those centuries ago.

(Read more on pages 84 and 90)

5 HIGHLIGHTS OF BRUGES

HIGHLIGHTS OF BRUGES

4

Liberty of Bruges, the former Civil Reg-

a nr ei Kra

Cordoea

Kan dela ars

.

Robijnst r

r

ve

Dij

aa rds tra at

Concertgebouw,

hof

3 km » FINISH

KATELIJNEPOORT

t ves Ba

t

lijne Kate

eg

»ColettijnenDISTANCE

Minnewaterpark

t raa

nst

ijne

ett Col

rge w

str. ers Pijp

of kh

Minnewater

of

at stra erg

ferb

mee

enh

till

Sen

at stra ave jn R ewi

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d Bou

str.

nen

non

e Rod

» START

‘t Zand

Oost

nstraat binesse Jako

t traa

t

Sul

traa

Rodenonnenpark

nes elij

a a ls Arsen

brechtss traat

e gijn

Poertorenpark

lij Sta

nmarkt Gare

Oude Gentweg

Visspaanstraat

aat str ord

08

WALK 1

r

Prof. Dr. J. Se

at

f

Wijngaardplein

Kat

Begijnho

02 02

uisstra

22

No

04

nstr.

shof

Werkh

at

Walplein

13

Goudsmedenstraat

e Gentweg Nieuw

traat

e ewat

rs

H

urb uss tr.

at

ens tra

Ste

Zilverst raa t

Gulden-V lieslaa n

P. P o

Moe rstr aat

t

aa

t traa

Spee lma nsr ei

ins

t raa

t

nte

itje

tst

K

t

traa

oms

jebo

n asta

Driekroeze

riestr aa

n Fo

aat str

dre

hou

O.L.V.kerkhof-Zuid

Wal

Beeldenmakersstr.

ge

Boeve

str.

re Fre

vée

Su

n Pa

Eek

Willemstraat

n in

er Wev

markt

‘t Pand

Gr o e

39

Minn

n Be s nve

Saint John’s Hospital 14 01

t

an

t

J.

n

Gro

n rde Pee

a stra

. lstr

. str en

Guido Gezelle laa

Mee

Eze

Buiten Smedenvest

at tra rds gaa om Bo t raa sst der Rid

at tra lks Ke

Ves ting

i nare -An Sint ersdijk Verv

r.

Koningst

t nde

Bli

inn zer

WC

35 15

at stra

38

enves

1500

r.

Burgst

i rtu

h

stra

straat

01

elMidrgd str. bu

Ka

aat str

ia Mar

FINISH

ort

po out

Eek

Stoofs

Ketsbrugge WC

. ersstr nmak Wape

at tra

uw

B u it e

Stationsplein

WC

03 07

les

Nie 02

Congrescentrum

Oostmeers

Westmeers

Koning Albert I-laan

an

ncela

an sla

STATION

BURG

Hof Arents

29

tion

BOEVERIEPOORT

16

straat

Breidel

at tra 28 ses thu 03

u Gru

tstr aat

BEGIJNHOF

Begijn

Kl. Hertsbergestr. erg tsbe Her straat

H

02

Sta

d

Eilan

at

stra oog

Hal

de tr.

Ou ers Zom

ees

03

Garsoenstr.

Unescorotonde

tra

traat Twijns

Mallebergplaats

17

re Gar De

19

Guido Gezelleplein

rs Zonnekemee

Koning Albertpark

12

raat

t rgas

albu

-N

t

a stra

nscie

rik Co

gden

Hend

el Sing

vest

Bruges may be, quite rightly, very proud of her World Heritage status, but the city is happily embracing the future too! This walk takes you along world-famous panoramic views, sky-high monuments and centuries-old squares invigorated by contemporary constructions.

One foot planted in the Middle Ages, the other one firmly planted in the present. This walk is an absolute must for first-time visitors who would like to explore the very heart of the city straight away. Keep your camera at the ready!

18 15

OUD SINT-JAN

21

05

Keersstr.

St.-W

WC

MARKT

St.-Obrechtsstr.

Joris Dumeryplein

. sstr nier

30

S t.

H.-G

04

Koolbrandersstr.

10

Ieperstr.

rtrnaa Geestraat

r

Kleine H.tr.

Geests

Oranjeboomstr.

v a tors k e

Bakkersstr.

str.

t Vlamingstraa

t

23

Sal

Goezeputstraat

ibus

estraa Engels

at

raat

a tra

t

rsato alv tr.

-S ors St. ko

St.-Jan in de Meers

Glor

Van Voldenstr.

t

S t. -

START

WC

H

instr.

Fonte

raa

Zilveer-g ste

e Hoogst gge ru van B

a at andstr Zuidz Lendestr.

Korte Vuldersstr.

‘t Zand 18

Zilverpand

Kraanplein

St.-Maartensplein 24 te r. o K rersst d Rid

Sint-Jansstraat

St.-Jansplein

straat Philipstock

t traa ers Zilv

traa

tst

tr nds

aat Dweersstr

str.

arkt

at

Klokstraat

s Kop

t aa

Gis

at tra

a rdz Noo

Artois Centrum ‘t Zand

ra erst auw

Maa

verie

n Boe

Buite

Beursplein

Vrijdagm

traat

r.

olst

s Zwijn

aa

St.-M

s Haan traa

ges lfha

t

scho k

sbil rten

Wu

a stra

l Kege

19

t

traa

dens

Sme

laa arij Nik Rozesmtraat Eiermarkt

Wijnzakstraat 17 33

at tra rns oo

ijk rsd dikh we Pre hou n e 01 08 43 .

Ste r 05 WC gst 33 Vismarkt ber W 09 22 am Wo 24 Bra Huidenlle str t vettersplein a aa i kl ra t aa s est i 13 str. als kaa Wa oed h Ke n rk e me Pa Roz mstr.

12 lst Loppe r. . r t s 13 nis u rg Simon str. ange eB rolf Stevinplein KoudeO ud 10 Gee Gev

t

ine Kle ansstr.

J St.-

nd Bra

at estra sterr Zeven traat Paals str. akers Kamm traat elens Kreup straat schuur Grein

SMEDENPOORT Buiten de 20 Smedenpoort

20

Kl. Hoefijzerstr.

17

Leemputstr.

str aa

O

str.

aan

e

Lan

tr.

Nests

e

ijn

tr. arss esp s D n-

WC

ss

rstr.

te Kor

Lan

lm Pa

.

Ooststr

St r

str.

an -Ha

44

t 37 Muntplein aat str Muntpoort unt m d 16 Gel a at Pri n tv St.-Amandsstr nse Kort an g nho e Kleine St.-Amandsstr. ers f str a at Hel ms tr

elboo Spikk

Kuipers

erl

fijz

u

Scho

. str

erw

tr.

Kleine

Hoe tr. erss wveg

Ge

ards

Bolla

t

Park Sebrechts

b ko

Mortierstraat

La

iaa

Dam

06

stra

Kip

08 25

J. van

07

a t-J Sin

er Pat

. nstr

aat

ing

est eV ng

traa

Sint-Jakobsplein

Adriaan Willaertstr.

25 09

rhuis Bote 10

22

ws

u

BLOEDPUT

09

ak

at

tho

Gen

Woensdagmarkt i gelre Spie e d o R 05 21 larei o in p Jan van S aat 15 Eyckplein Boudewijn iestr 11 cadem Biskajersplein Ostenstraat A

ersst Kuip

aat tstr

mpo Roo

eZ

09

ra gst min Vla

Oud

Lee

Peter Benoitlaan

en

Gro

Naaldenstraat

laan

at stra

ings

e ink

ew

rt Ko

jn- tr. erss

m Raa

rijd

t sstraa aker nm to te P Grauw wer ker sst raa t

evi

it Po

ske Zak

l

Bev

aat estr

rsstr uwe nho Bee

Walk 1 Bruges, proud World Heritage City

a end Roz

Graaf Visartpark

ust

Aug

at

ra nst

enplein

. str

jn Azi

ardstraat panja

11

S

WC

Hendrik

Pulinxpad Alternative route

lein Bargep

e lijn ate

ves

t

a nr ei Kra

Cordoea

Kan dela ars

.

Robijnst r

r

ve

Dij

aa rds tra at

Concertgebouw,

hof

3 km » FINISH

KATELIJNEPOORT

t ves Ba

t

lijne Kate

eg

»ColettijnenDISTANCE

Minnewaterpark

t raa

nst

ijne

ett Col

rge w

str. ers Pijp

of kh

Minnewater

of

at stra erg

ferb

mee

enh

till

Sen

at stra ave jn R ewi

Wi jng

d Bou

str.

nen

non

e Rod

» START

‘t Zand

Oost

nstraat binesse Jako

t traa

t

Sul

traa

Rodenonnenpark

nes elij

a a ls Arsen

brechtss traat

e gijn

Poertorenpark

lij Sta

nmarkt Gare

Oude Gentweg

Visspaanstraat

aat str ord

08

WALK 1

r

Prof. Dr. J. Se

at

f

Wijngaardplein

Kat

Begijnho

02 02

uisstra

22

No

04

nstr.

shof

Werkh

at

Walplein

13

Goudsmedenstraat

e Gentweg Nieuw

traat

e ewat

rs

H

urb uss tr.

at

ens tra

Ste

Zilverst raa t

Gulden-V lieslaa n

P. P o

Moe rstr aat

t

aa

t traa

Spee lma nsr ei

ins

t raa

t

nte

itje

tst

K

t

traa

oms

jebo

n asta

Driekroeze

riestr aa

n Fo

aat str

dre

hou

O.L.V.kerkhof-Zuid

Wal

Beeldenmakersstr.

ge

Boeve

str.

re Fre

vée

Su

n Pa

Eek

Willemstraat

n in

er Wev

markt

‘t Pand

Gr o e

39

Minn

n Be s nve

Saint John’s Hospital 14 01

t

an

t

J.

n

Gro

n rde Pee

a stra

. lstr

. str en

Guido Gezelle laa

Mee

Eze

Buiten Smedenvest

at tra rds gaa om Bo t raa sst der Rid

at tra lks Ke

Ves ting

i nare -An Sint ersdijk Verv

r.

Koningst

t nde

Bli

inn zer

WC

35 15

at stra

38

enves

1500

r.

Burgst

i rtu

h

stra

straat

01

elMidrgd str. bu

Ka

aat str

ia Mar

FINISH

ort

po out

Eek

Stoofs

Ketsbrugge WC

. ersstr nmak Wape

at tra

uw

B u it e

Stationsplein

WC

03 07

les

Nie 02

Congrescentrum

Oostmeers

Westmeers

Koning Albert I-laan

an

ncela

an sla

STATION

BURG

Hof Arents

29

tion

BOEVERIEPOORT

16

straat

Breidel

at tra 28 ses thu 03

u Gru

tstr aat

BEGIJNHOF

Begijn

Kl. Hertsbergestr. erg tsbe Her straat

H

02

Sta

d

Eilan

at

stra oog

Hal

de tr.

Ou ers Zom

ees

03

Garsoenstr.

Unescorotonde

tra

traat Twijns

Mallebergplaats

17

re Gar De

19

Guido Gezelleplein

rs Zonnekemee

Koning Albertpark

12

raat

t rgas

albu

-N

t

a stra

nscie

rik Co

gden

Hend

el Sing

vest

Bruges may be, quite rightly, very proud of her World Heritage status, but the city is happily embracing the future too! This walk takes you along world-famous panoramic views, sky-high monuments and centuries-old squares invigorated by contemporary constructions.

One foot planted in the Middle Ages, the other one firmly planted in the present. This walk is an absolute must for first-time visitors who would like to explore the very heart of the city straight away. Keep your camera at the ready!

18 15

OUD SINT-JAN

21

05

Keersstr.

St.-W

WC

MARKT

St.-Obrechtsstr.

Joris Dumeryplein

. sstr nier

30

S t.

H.-G

04

Koolbrandersstr.

10

Ieperstr.

rtrnaa Geestraat

r

Kleine H.tr.

Geests

Oranjeboomstr.

v a tors k e

Bakkersstr.

str.

t Vlamingstraa

t

23

Sal

Goezeputstraat

ibus

estraa Engels

at

raat

a tra

t

rsato alv tr.

-S ors St. ko

St.-Jan in de Meers

Glor

Van Voldenstr.

t

S t. -

START

WC

H

instr.

Fonte

raa

Zilveer-g ste

e Hoogst gge ru van B

a at andstr Zuidz Lendestr.

Korte Vuldersstr.

‘t Zand 18

Zilverpand

Kraanplein

St.-Maartensplein 24 te r. o K rersst d Rid

Sint-Jansstraat

St.-Jansplein

straat Philipstock

t traa ers Zilv

traa

tst

tr nds

aat Dweersstr

str.

arkt

at

Klokstraat

s Kop

t aa

Gis

at tra

a rdz Noo

Artois Centrum ‘t Zand

ra erst auw

Maa

verie

n Boe

Buite

Beursplein

Vrijdagm

traat

r.

olst

s Zwijn

aa

St.-M

s Haan traa

ges lfha

t

scho k

sbil rten

Wu

a stra

l Kege

19

t

traa

dens

Sme

laa arij Nik Rozesmtraat Eiermarkt

Wijnzakstraat 17 33

at tra rns oo

ijk rsd dikh we Pre hou n e 01 08 43 .

Ste r 05 WC gst 33 Vismarkt ber W 09 22 am Wo 24 Bra Huidenlle str t vettersplein a aa i kl ra t aa s est i 13 str. als kaa Wa oed h Ke n rk e me Pa Roz mstr.

12 lst Loppe r. . r t s 13 nis u rg Simon str. ange eB rolf Stevinplein KoudeO ud 10 Gee Gev

t

ine Kle ansstr.

J St.-

nd Bra

at estra sterr Zeven traat Paals str. akers Kamm traat elens Kreup straat schuur Grein

SMEDENPOORT Buiten de 20 Smedenpoort

20

Kl. Hoefijzerstr.

17

Leemputstr.

str aa

O

str.

aan

e

Lan

tr.

Nests

e

ijn

tr. arss esp s D n-

WC

ss

rstr.

te Kor

Lan

lm Pa

.

Ooststr

St r

str.

an -Ha

44

t 37 Muntplein aat str Muntpoort unt m d 16 Gel a at Pri n tv St.-Amandsstr nse Kort an g nho e Kleine St.-Amandsstr. ers f str a at Hel ms tr

elboo Spikk

Kuipers

erl

fijz

u

Scho

. str

erw

tr.

Kleine

Hoe tr. erss wveg

Ge

ards

Bolla

t

Park Sebrechts

b ko

Mortierstraat

La

iaa

Dam

06

stra

Kip

08 25

J. van

07

a t-J Sin

er Pat

. nstr

aat

ing

est eV ng

traa

Sint-Jakobsplein

Adriaan Willaertstr.

25 09

rhuis Bote 10

22

ws

u

BLOEDPUT

09

ak

at

tho

Gen

Woensdagmarkt i gelre Spie e d o R 05 21 larei o in p Jan van S aat 15 Eyckplein Boudewijn iestr 11 cadem Biskajersplein Ostenstraat A

ersst Kuip

aat tstr

mpo Roo

eZ

09

ra gst min Vla

Oud

Lee

Peter Benoitlaan

en

Gro

Naaldenstraat

laan

at stra

ings

e ink

ew

rt Ko

jn- tr. erss

m Raa

rijd

t sstraa aker nm to te P Grauw wer ker sst raa t

evi

it Po

ske Zak

l

Bev

aat estr

rsstr uwe nho Bee

Walk 1 Bruges, proud World Heritage City

a end Roz

Graaf Visartpark

ust

Aug

at

ra nst

enplein

. str

jn Azi

ardstraat panja

11

S

WC

Hendrik

Pulinxpad Alternative route

lein Bargep

e lijn ate

ves

t

Exploring Bruges

Bruges by boat

departures from Bruges to Damme,

a boat trip on its canals. Jump aboard

daily at 10.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m.

at any of the five landing stages (con-

and 4.00 p.m.; departures from

sult city map) for a half-hour trip that

Damme to Bruges, daily at 11.00 a.m.,

allows you to appreciate the most note-

1.00 p.m., 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.

worthy delights of the city from a com-

PRICE > € 8.00 (one-way ticket) or € 11.00

pletely different angle.

(return ticket); 65+: € 7.50 (one-way ticket) or € 10.00 (return ticket); children aged 3 to 11: € 6.50 (one-way ticket) or

daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., last

€ 9.00 (return ticket)

departure at 5.30 p.m.

MEETING POINT > Embark in Bruges at

PRICE > € 8.00; children aged 4 to 11

the Noorweegse Kaai 31 (City map: J1)

(accompanied by an adult): € 4.00;

INFO > Tel. +32 (0)50 28 86 10, www.

children under 4: free

bootdamme-brugge.be; public trans-

The nostalgic river boat ‘Lamme Goedzak’, with room for 170 passen-

port: scheduled bus no. 4, bus stop: Sasplein near the Dampoort; from there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the landing stage in Bruges.

gers, sails back and forth between

Port Cruise Zeebrugge

Bruges and the centre of Damme, the

The port cruise departs from the old

town of the local folk hero Tijl Uilen-

fishing port on board of the Zephira, a

spiegel (Owlglass), whose friend was

passenger ship. The tour takes in the

called … Lamme Goedzak!

naval base, the Pierre Vandamme Lock

67 E X P LO R I N G B R U G E S

OPEN > Sailings are guaranteed from

March to mid-November: in principle,

Lamme Goedzak (steam wheeler) Damme

You might want to stroll, amble and saunter down the streets of Bruges all day long. However, why not try to see the city from a different perspective? During a walking or bicycle tour, a guide will show you numerous secret places. Maybe you would prefer a boat trip on the mysterious canals – an unforgettable experience! And a ride in a horse-drawn carriage must surely be the perfect romantic outing. Sport-lovers can even do a guided run around the city. Or perhaps you simply want to tour all the highlights as quickly and as comfortably as possible? Then a minibus with expert commentary is what you need. Or what about a flight in a hot-air balloon or a tour in a bike carriage? The choice is yours!

OPEN > During the period 1/4 to 30/9:

A visit to Bruges isn’t complete without

Exploring Bruges

Bruges by boat

departures from Bruges to Damme,

a boat trip on its canals. Jump aboard

daily at 10.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m.

at any of the five landing stages (con-

and 4.00 p.m.; departures from

sult city map) for a half-hour trip that

Damme to Bruges, daily at 11.00 a.m.,

allows you to appreciate the most note-

1.00 p.m., 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.

worthy delights of the city from a com-

PRICE > € 8.00 (one-way ticket) or € 11.00

pletely different angle.

(return ticket); 65+: € 7.50 (one-way ticket) or € 10.00 (return ticket); children aged 3 to 11: € 6.50 (one-way ticket) or

daily from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., last

€ 9.00 (return ticket)

departure at 5.30 p.m.

MEETING POINT > Embark in Bruges at

PRICE > € 8.00; children aged 4 to 11

the Noorweegse Kaai 31 (City map: J1)

(accompanied by an adult): € 4.00;

INFO > Tel. +32 (0)50 28 86 10, www.

children under 4: free

bootdamme-brugge.be; public trans-

The nostalgic river boat ‘Lamme Goedzak’, with room for 170 passen-

port: scheduled bus no. 4, bus stop: Sasplein near the Dampoort; from there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the landing stage in Bruges.

gers, sails back and forth between

Port Cruise Zeebrugge

Bruges and the centre of Damme, the

The port cruise departs from the old

town of the local folk hero Tijl Uilen-

fishing port on board of the Zephira, a

spiegel (Owlglass), whose friend was

passenger ship. The tour takes in the

called … Lamme Goedzak!

naval base, the Pierre Vandamme Lock

67 E X P LO R I N G B R U G E S

OPEN > Sailings are guaranteed from

March to mid-November: in principle,

Lamme Goedzak (steam wheeler) Damme

You might want to stroll, amble and saunter down the streets of Bruges all day long. However, why not try to see the city from a different perspective? During a walking or bicycle tour, a guide will show you numerous secret places. Maybe you would prefer a boat trip on the mysterious canals – an unforgettable experience! And a ride in a horse-drawn carriage must surely be the perfect romantic outing. Sport-lovers can even do a guided run around the city. Or perhaps you simply want to tour all the highlights as quickly and as comfortably as possible? Then a minibus with expert commentary is what you need. Or what about a flight in a hot-air balloon or a tour in a bike carriage? The choice is yours!

OPEN > During the period 1/4 to 30/9:

A visit to Bruges isn’t complete without

Bruges: World Heritage city Sonia Papili reveals the Italian side of Bruges

ID-KIT Name: Sonia Papili Nationality: Italian Date of birth: 17 May 1972 Living in Bruges since 2006. Sonia is a geologist with the Ministry of Defence and a tourist guide in Bruges.

ty and temperament. And he was right:

University of Ghent, her attached to the

Bruges really is my city!’

University of Rome – who met on a ship

In the meantime, Sonia learnt Dutch

in Istanbul to discuss climate change:

and started work here as a geologist.

there are worse ways to start a

During her citizenship programme, she

long-distance relationship. For three

became more and more curious about

years, the pair commuted back and

the history of her new home town. ‘Dur-

forth between Italy and Belgium, before

ing the language course they told us a

finally deciding to settle in Bruges.

little bit about the history of the place.

‘I had only been in Bruges once before,’

This intrigued me and so I decided to

says Sonia. ‘I was much more familiar

follow a three-year course to become

with Ghent, but my husband thought

an official guide in Bruges.’

that Bruges better suited my personali-

‘I was much more familiar with Ghent, but my husband thought that Bruges better suited my personality and temperament.

And he was right: Bruges really is my city!’

WHY BRUGES IS A WORLD HERITAGE CITY During the week, the Italian Sonia Papili studies the North Sea with academic sobriety; during the weekend she guides her fellow countrymen with great passion around her adopted city. A passion that began gradually some eleven years ago, but now burns more brightly than ever.

In 1998, the Bruges Beguinage was recognized as a World Heritage site. A year later, the Belfry received similar recognition. In 2000, this was extended to cover the entire city centre. Since 2009, the Holy Blood Procession has been listed as an item of immaterial World Heritage. Bruges also has a valuable and impressive architectural patrimony and is a fine example of an architecturally harmonious city. In particular, Bruges is famed for its Gothic style buildings in brick. In addition, its authentic and organically developed medieval urban fabric has been perfectly preserved and it is also the ‘birthplace’ of the Flemish primitives. In other words, reasons enough for UNESCO to label Bruges as a ‘World Heritage city’.

105 B R U G E S : WO R L D H E R I TA G E C I T Y

Two geologists – him attached to the

Bruges: World Heritage city Sonia Papili reveals the Italian side of Bruges

ID-KIT Name: Sonia Papili Nationality: Italian Date of birth: 17 May 1972 Living in Bruges since 2006. Sonia is a geologist with the Ministry of Defence and a tourist guide in Bruges.

ty and temperament. And he was right:

University of Ghent, her attached to the

Bruges really is my city!’

University of Rome – who met on a ship

In the meantime, Sonia learnt Dutch

in Istanbul to discuss climate change:

and started work here as a geologist.

there are worse ways to start a

During her citizenship programme, she

long-distance relationship. For three

became more and more curious about

years, the pair commuted back and

the history of her new home town. ‘Dur-

forth between Italy and Belgium, before

ing the language course they told us a

finally deciding to settle in Bruges.

little bit about the history of the place.

‘I had only been in Bruges once before,’

This intrigued me and so I decided to

says Sonia. ‘I was much more familiar

follow a three-year course to become

with Ghent, but my husband thought

an official guide in Bruges.’

that Bruges better suited my personali-

‘I was much more familiar with Ghent, but my husband thought that Bruges better suited my personality and temperament.

And he was right: Bruges really is my city!’

WHY BRUGES IS A WORLD HERITAGE CITY During the week, the Italian Sonia Papili studies the North Sea with academic sobriety; during the weekend she guides her fellow countrymen with great passion around her adopted city. A passion that began gradually some eleven years ago, but now burns more brightly than ever.

In 1998, the Bruges Beguinage was recognized as a World Heritage site. A year later, the Belfry received similar recognition. In 2000, this was extended to cover the entire city centre. Since 2009, the Holy Blood Procession has been listed as an item of immaterial World Heritage. Bruges also has a valuable and impressive architectural patrimony and is a fine example of an architecturally harmonious city. In particular, Bruges is famed for its Gothic style buildings in brick. In addition, its authentic and organically developed medieval urban fabric has been perfectly preserved and it is also the ‘birthplace’ of the Flemish primitives. In other words, reasons enough for UNESCO to label Bruges as a ‘World Heritage city’.

105 B R U G E S : WO R L D H E R I TA G E C I T Y

Two geologists – him attached to the

Discoveries outside of Bruges 146 The other Flemish historical cities

> ANTWERP > BRUSSELS > DAMME > GHENT > LOUVAIN > MALINES > YPRES

150 The area around Bruges

> BRUGES’ WOOD- AND WETLAND > COAST > WESTHOEK > LYS VALLEY > MEETJESLAND: FLANDERS CREEK COUNTRY > FLEMISH ARDENNES

155 Guided excursions from Bruges

Lissewege

> > > >

BY BIKE

BY MINIBUS

BY VESPA TO THE BATTLEFIELDS

Discoveries outside of Bruges 146 The other Flemish historical cities

> ANTWERP > BRUSSELS > DAMME > GHENT > LOUVAIN > MALINES > YPRES

150 The area around Bruges

> BRUGES’ WOOD- AND WETLAND > COAST > WESTHOEK > LYS VALLEY > MEETJESLAND: FLANDERS CREEK COUNTRY > FLEMISH ARDENNES

155 Guided excursions from Bruges

Lissewege

> > > >

BY BIKE

BY MINIBUS

BY VESPA TO THE BATTLEFIELDS