Bruges Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Bruges, Belgium
Bruges Historic Sites
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Historic Sites
Historic Sites
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Showing results 1-30 of 37
What travelers are saying
- Christine GStandish, UK3 contributionsBeautiful place to visit for a mini break.
We took a half hour boat trip around the canals - full of fascinating facts and information, our tour guide effortlessly switched between several languages to accommodate everyone on the trip.
It is an easy place to walk around with many interesting mediaeval buildings to see.
Lots of cafes and restaurants to eat and pass time people watching.Written September 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Olaf Johansen27 contributionsThe Basilica of the Holy Blood is an important religious site with a stunning interior. The relic of the Holy Blood, said to contain drops of Christ's blood, is an awe-inspiring sight. The lower chapel is atmospheric and peaceful. The upper chapel is a contrast with its vibrant Gothic design. A must-visit for its spiritual and historical significance.Written August 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CautiousClevelandCleveland, OH25 contributionsBruges is definitely worth visiting. Like stepping back to Medieval Times walking around the monastery for lay women was beautiful and so peaceful. The town has canals that you can travel on and there are open plazas where you can relax and enjoy French fries that actually originated in Belgium along with Belgium waffles and Zot beer in one of the original beer gardens or you can take a horse and buggy ride. I would love to go back,Written July 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Brittany_11_10Los Angeles, CA1,774 contributionsNice to see while strolling by, and you can go inside one (for 5 euros). Not a "must-see," but definitely a "nice to see" on at least a first trip to Bruges/Brugge.Written August 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium37,874 contributionsThe ‘Oude Civiele Griffie’ (1537) on the Burg square is one of the oldest Renaissance building in Flanders. However, it’s present-day beautiful façade seems to be the result of a historicist reconstruction by city architect Louis Delacenserie in 1875 and later renovations. The statues, which were destroyed by the French revolution, were replaced by new gilded statues by Hendrik Pickery in 1883.
The main sight is the former Aldermen’s Chamber of the Liberty of Bruges, both government and court room. It’s an opulent Renaissance room with a coffered ceiling, wood-panelling, wall hangings and paintings. The most impressive feature is the monumental and intricate 16th century mantelpiece, a tribute to emperor Charles V and the Hapsburg dynasty. We had a closer look at it because of its historical value, but found it rather awful. There is way too much going on. A central oak statue represents Emperor Charles V surrounded by the coats of arms of the many regions he ruled over, interspersed with putti. He is flanked by the statues of his paternal and maternal grandparents. Portrait medallions show the emperor’s father, mother, sister and aunt, commander Charles de Lannoy, and King Francis 1 of France, husband of the emperor’s sister Eleanor.
Under the wooden upper part an alabaster frieze telling the biblical story of Susanna - unjustly accused of adultery by two elders, but rescued by Daniel's cross-examination - reminds the aldermen of their responsibility. The four chubby putti decorating the corners of the mantelpiece represent the judicial virtues of temperance, prudence, justice and strength. The black fireback, finally, shows a wild man and a wild woman with three thistles between them holding the coat of arms of the Liberty of Bruges.
On the opposite wall there are portraits of the descendants of Charles V: Philip II, Isabella and Archduke Albrecht, Philips III, Philips IV, Charles II, Charles VI and Maria Teresa. On a desk there are three historic silver ink stands. The tasselled cord next to one of them is connected to a bell that was used to call people into the Aldermen’s’ Chamber. We tried to imagine how the waiting accused must have felt by looking at a painting in the museum. It shows the public execution by hanging on the Burg square in 1767 of an old man found guilty of fraud by the Council of the Burgomasters and Aldermen of the Liberty of Bruges.Written January 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ybsaeStockton-on-Tees, UK515 contributionsVery good refers to the number of really nice restaurants fringing the edge of the square. The square itself, although the largest in the city, is lacking much character. It has been redeveloped recently, perhaps ongoing. Worth a wander around once unless partaking in the excellent restaurants we found.Written August 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David nManchester, UK4,767 contributionsOn the circular walk around the outskirts of Bruges - or of course, you can just walk here from the centre and then return. Either way, its a very good building of historical interest.Written July 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- T DPhiladelphia, PA4,440 contributionsThe Provinciaal Hof is in the Center - at the Markt. Entrance is free and you can walk up two levels. A Cafe is inside as well. WC is in the basement and can be used for 1 Euro (accepts cash or credit card).Written June 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium37,874 contributionsEager to see the Donkey’s Gate (‘Ezelspoort’ in Dutch) we walked towards it along Ezelstraat. Quite a hike, but worth it. As part of the second ring of city walls the original Donkey’s gate (1297) was short-lived. Following the Treaty of Athis-sur-Orge (1305) with the king of France, recognizing the independence of Flanders, it was dismantled around 1328. But some forty years later a new, stand-alone Donkey’s Gate, surrounded by water, was erected. In the 17th and 18th century it was altered several times: the front gate was demolished, the towers were lowered, the middle section was rebuilt, a small clock tower and a guard house were added, etc. In the early 1900s the Donkey’s gate was extensively restored. Today it is a picturesque site, good for some nice pictures. The field side of the gate is rather plain but from there we had a nice view on the neo-gothic house at the end of Ezelstraat.Written December 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Raintree_ThailandBangkok, Thailand4,282 contributionsSt. James' Church is one of the less frequented by tourists in Bruge, bsut well worth a visit. It's somewhat dark inside and less grand than other Bruges church, but it has lots of beautiful old paintings. Free entry.Written January 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- pakabayAdelaide, Australia2,509 contributionsBuilt in 1519, the Sas House was built as a lock house but the lock has been out of use since the 1970’s.
Located on the Minnewater, it’s one of the first buildings that visitors arriving in Bruges on tourist buses will see, as you walk from the bus park.
It now houses the Handmade in Brugge organisation, as a consumer facing space to promote their producers.Written March 27, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China174,773 contributionsThere are four old city gates still standing around Bruges including Smedenport (Blacksmith's Gate) on the west side of the city. It is located along Smedenstraat, around 5 minute walk west of t'Zand, making it fairly isolated to other popular sightseeing around the city centre. Otherwise, it is a neat place to visit for those with interest in Bruges history.
The first gate was built here near the end of the 13th century. Reconstructed several times over many centuries, what you see today is post 2009 restorations. It is now a yellow creme colour and flanked by two pedestrian walkways crossing the canal on both sides of the city gate. You can still walk through the old passageways on both sides of the old gate entrance as well.
An interesting feature of Smedenport is iron skull mounted above the southern pedestrian passageway. It relates to an event that occurred 1691 whereby a local traitor was beheaded for conspiring to help the French army enter the city. There is a history panel which details the event and reason why there is now an iron skull in its place. Well worth a little read while visiting. It is easy to spot the iron skull as you approach the gate.Written October 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - tk3232Sugar Land, TX4,264 contributionsIn 1820, the city's architect Jean-Robert Callouagne designed the classical column, which is now considered the oldest surviving fish market in Belgium. Today this once-thriving market has mostly crafts and souvenirs, which were not at all interesting and unfortunately boring. Several stalls. A few sleepily wandering tourists. Don't bother.Written October 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradHong Kong, China174,773 contributionsKuispoort is one of four preserved city gates that made up defensive fortifications around Bruges during the Middle Ages. You'll find this historic attraction along Langestraat at the eastern end of the Historic Centre of Bruges just as you reach the canal and the green and leisure space that leads up to the four historic windmills to the north.
Kuispoort was originally constructed near the end of the 13th-century but destroyed and rebuilt a couple of times. What you see now is the gate built by Bruges master mason Jan van Oudenaerde around 1400. It was built at the same time as Gentpoort, hence the very similar appearance. What you will see are two heavy round towers with center passageway facing outward and two quaint turrets on the inside. There is a niche with statue in the front as well.Written November 1, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium37,874 contributionsSeen from Spiegelrei or Spinolarei the Burghers’ Lodge (Poortersloge), with its characteristic spire, makes for an iconic, picture-perfect view. It is definitely the visual highlight of Jan Van Eyckplein. Built between 1395 and 1417 in what was then a very busy international port area, it housed the meetings of prominent citizens with their trade partners and the Knightly Society of the White Bear, which organized tournaments in Bruges until the 15th century. The famous emblem of the Society, an upright bear holding its coat of arms, is still to be found in a niche on the corner of Academiestraat. In later years, the lodge served, among others, as an art school (1720–1890) and the city archives (1912-2012). Today, it is a contemporary arts venue. The Latin inscription over the monumental door at Academiestraat 18 "Ut phoenix ex cenere su Brugensium dono revivisco" (Like a Phoenix from its ashes, I rise thanks to the liberality of the people of Bruges) and the date 1755 remind of the fire that destroyed the building in 1755. The present-day appearance is the result of modifications made in the 19th century.Written January 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
