How about Brugge ?

Let's tour some of the  lesser known cities of Belgium.  This week we go to Brugge, or in English - Bruges. 

During tourist season Bruges is wall to wall people, just like Prague. The tourists tend to gather in the two main squares Markt & Burg.  You can find peace and quiet by exploring the cobbled streets away from the squares.

Like Amsterdam, Bruges is a city of canals – known throughout the world as the Venice of the North.  It is also considered the Honeymoon Capital of Europe because of its charming, historic houses; picturesque parks; horse-drawn carriages; and quiet, intimate cobblestone streets.  It is a perfect city for strolling arm-in-arm as it is truly a pedestrian paradise.  

Bruges made the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000 because as you walk through the historical city centre, it feels like you are strolling through a medieval city.

For a small city (population of just over 117,000) it has a wealth of history, architecture, museums, and art!  In a beautiful church on Burg Square, Basilica of the Holy Blood, you will find a lovely light Gothic chapel with another heavy Romanesque one beneath it.  You will also want to visit The Chuch of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk in Dutch) to see “Madonna with Child”, one of the few Michelangelo sculptures outside of Italy.  But while you are there don’t miss the fine tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy.  There is no entrance fee to either of these churches.  If you love art you will also want to visit the Expo Picasso – a permanent exhibition of more than 120 original works of art by Pablo Picasso

The Groeninge Museum is known as the museum of fine arts because it houses paintings by artists like Reubens, Van Dyck & Ensor who lived in Bruges between the 14^th & 20^th centuries.  But you will also find fun museums in this city –  The Friet Museum (story of the potato and fries); Choco-Story Museum (turning cocoa into chocolate); Diamant Museum (from mining to polishing diamonds); Lace Museum (local women teaching girls this traditional craft); a beer museum in the Brewery de Halve Maan; and a Folk Lore Museum where you can visit a 17^th century cobbler’s, barrel maker’s, and hat maker’s workshops. And just a short distance from the city center you will find the amazingly preserved medieval Castle ten Berghe with a true moat.

You will find sights to see -- gift shops, churches, museums, parks, and gardens -- to keep you occupied for at least a 3-day visit. If you’ve never been to Bruges before, it is a definite “must see” and if you have been there, you will want to go back! 

Leuven is a "Must See"

Leuven delights those interested in architecture. The first town wall, churches, monasteries and abbeys were built in the 11^th-12^th century but the Gothic Town Hall, Market Square, Cloth Hall, and many churches flourished when the new golden age dawned in the 15^th century. Other architectural styles are not as well represented but they can still be found.

During World War I, the Germans came and levelled it with their bombs.  The city fathers put their heads together and made a decision that they would not rebuild the city but instead would restore it.  They built everything exactly as it was before the war!  Again in World War II the Germans came and levelled Leuven and again, the city fathers decided to build everything in its original style.  The building materials may not be original but the architectural styles are!

There are seven magnificent churches in Leuven, the oldest being St. Peter’s Church dating back to 986.  The interior is amazing but here you will also find two masterpieces from the 15^th century by the Flemish Primitive Dirk Bouts – The Last Supper and The Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus. If you remember the story of Father Damian who lived for years among the lepers on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, you will find his crypt in St. Anthony’s Chapel.  The Damian Centre, in the chapel, provides documentation and information about his life. 

The Town Hall is an absolute must see!  There are 236 statues completely covering the face of the building representing artists, scholars, eminent citizens of Leuven, and biblical figures all wearing the clothes of the period in which they lived. 

For your sightseeing pleasure, you will find museums, cemeteries (including a World War II British Military Cemetery), abbeys, beguinages, parks, and gardens.  Stop for at least one night in Leuven. 

 

 

Antwerp....Belgium, not to be mistaken for the colour blue!

 

Let's visit Antwerp.  You can see on this map that Antwerp is inland, yet it is the world’s fifth largest port thanks to the Scheldt tidal estuary.  It is also the centre of the diamond trade.

Don’t let that fool you into thinking it is all business and boring!  Antwerp is vibrant, lively, and one of Europe’s centres for art, architecture, cuisine, and haute couture. It is considered Belgium’s “capital of cool”!

Totally flat, it is a great city to view by bicycle but even with the help of wheels, you won’t be able to cover it’s thousands of restaurants, bars, boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, museums, or chocolate outlets in one visit!

The buildings are spectacular inside as well as out.  Check out this quick video to get you inspired.  

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