Somewhere in between the Netherlands, France, and Germany lies the city of Bruges. This little canal city is especially unique because it takes on many of the best characteristics from each country surrounding it.
Not only that, but it is also one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, and it’s just a few hours drive outside of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris.
Culture, Art & Architecture
Bruges’s entire egg-shaped historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site deemed to be of outstanding universal value to humanity. You won’t disagree.
Untouched by time, Bruges certainly meets the criteria. Between the streets made of water, you’ll see culture and historic gothic architecture unlike anyplace else. Here are 10 things I loved about the picturesque city.
The Begijnhof Beguinage
The Beguines were essentially early super feminists. They formed a group of single or widowed pious women who wanted to live together, but not in a convent or monastery.
They formed female communities in the 1300s but didn’t take religious vows. However, these women promised not to marry as long as they lived as Beguines, which they could quit at any time. I can’t pretend to see the appeal.
Bruges is home to one of the few remaining Beginhofs in the world. There is a long white house surrounded by a lush garden founded in 1245 and is still active today. This little piece of world heritage is still inhabited by a few Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried. Where do I sign up?
Belfort Belfry
The nearly 300-foot tall tower dates back to the 13th century. If you are ambitious, you may climb 366 steps to the top of the tower to see over the entire city and the famed 47 carillon bells that ring throughout the day. It’s a short line to the top.
Bruges Procession of the Holy Blood
Are you thinking vampires? I did.
The procession of the holy blood is a huge Catholic procession dating back to the Middle Ages. UNESCO identifies it as an “intangible cultural heritage,” and nearly 100,000 people show up each year to participate, but no vampires (so they claim).
This yearly event takes place each Ascension Day (39 days after Easter). Residents perform a historical reenactment of their holy blood relic’s arrival by carrying the large phial around the entire city.
Church of Our Lady
At 379 feet tall, the Gothic church tower remains the tallest structure in the city and the second tallest brickwork tower in the world. As far as medieval gothic churches go, this is one I’d put on the list.
Michelangelo Sculpture
You’ll find a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child surrounded by several others within the church. This is the only sculpture of Michelangelo’s to have left Italy in his lifetime.
Bobbin Lace
Bruges is known for its bobbin lace, and you can see many older women about town, making it in alleys and doorways. You’ll find shops all around town selling it. If you’re into lace, I’d suggest you acquire some here, as you’ll not find anything comparable in America for a fraction of the price.
Watching the women at work, I wondered at their obvious dexterity and doubted my own much younger fingers could work in such a quick and detailed way.
The intricate, handmade lace is made by braiding and twisting thread that is wound on bobbins. These ladies toss those bobbins like nobody’s business and you can watch as they pin sections to pillows on their laps and the design quickly becomes apparent. I hope I’m half this skillful and flexible in my dotage.
Beer
Belgium is not a large country, but they have over 200 breweries. In 2016, UNESCO added Belgian beer culture to the list of “intangible cultural heritage of humanity.” Are you keeping track of the things considered “intangible” in Bruges? I have lost count. It’s that kind of place.
Everyone knows you can’t go to Belgium without drinking beer, and if you love beer – you must visit this place. Thankfully, in Bruges, it’s effortless to pop in and out of the dozens of small pubs and streetside cafes to sample the many fine brews. If you stick to the lagers (light beer), you can drink your way through quite a few pubs. But if you prefer the delicious Belgian port and stout, you will not make it very far, I’m afraid. The alcohol content is higher than anything you’re getting in America.
When spending a day in Belgium, I learned that you should start with the pale ales and work your way up to the Dubbel, tripels and even quadrupels when you’re ready to pass out or die of drunkenness.
Belgian Chocolate
Now we get to the heart of my visit—Belgian Chocolate. As an avowed chocolate connoisseur, the words alone bring tears of joy to my eyes. It’s not really the reason I flew thousands of miles, but it’d be a good one.
Belgium is one of the most important chocolate importers in the world. You’ve probably heard of a shop called Godiva? As common as it seems, actual Belgian chocolate, revered for its superior quality and purity standards, isn’t as common as you’d think around the world. By comparison, most American chocolate is low quality, sugary, oily goo.
For chocolate to be Belgian, it must be made within the city and adhere to the Belgian Chocolate Code, which dictates its quality.
For every beer pub you see, you’ll find a chocolatier happy to provide free samples to draw you in next door. Most specialize in pralines, truffles and figurines that look like they require an architect to design.
I walked door to door, pub, chocolatier, pub, chocolatier, pub … sampling and purchasing as I went. It was among the happiest days of my life.
Waffles
These thick, fluffy, deeply pocketed waffles in Bruges are street food. A bread topped with various items is typically sweet and eaten as a dessert.
Sold at street stands and windows and eaten with sugar, whipped cream, fruit, syrup, and chocolate, there is no end to how you can adorn your waffle.
You’ll see people walking along, waffle in hand, traversing the cobblestones and trying not to stumble from the beer they’ve also enjoyed throughout the day. Or at least, that’s what I did.
You’ll also find stands selling Liege waffles, which are different. Let’s keep our waffles straight. Liege waffles are slightly denser, smaller and oval-shaped. These are sometimes found in vending machines. Let that be an indication to you. I find them overly sweet, especially after a day of eating waffles and chocolate, which I’m prone to do more often than you might suspect.
Pomme Frites
Belgian French Fries, so to speak. If case you didn’t know, fries were invented by the Belgian, not the French. It’s just that American soldiers first experienced them in France.
Still fried in animal fat, unlike many American varieties (who have changed to be “healthier”), these fries are served hot and crispy in paper cups with a side of Frite sauce – something you probably call mayonnaise. Please don’t knock it until you try it; there’s nothing like dipping your fat in fat to complete your tour of Bruges, Belgium.
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