Overnight
Bruges has a municipal law, which means all Tour Manager who are taking their groups on a walking tour of Bruges need to be registered with their Tourist Office. Registration is free but is compulsory. Either ask Giacomo for details or contact walkingtours@brugge.be
Tourist Offices. Markt 1/Stationsplein 5 Open 10.00 – 17.00 Tel + 32 50 44 46 46
MAJOR SIGHTS
The Town Hall, Burg 12 Open daily 9.30 – 17.00 Tel +32 50 44 87 43
Dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries, it is the oldest in Belgium. It has featured in the film ‘In Bruges’ with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, and ‘The White Queen’ (about the Wars of the Roses) on the BBC.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood, Burg 10 Open Daily , 10.00 – 17.15; upper basilica closed between 10.45 – 12.15 Fridays, Sundays & Festival days. Tel +32 50 336792. Entrance to the Museum 5.00€ (Group prices available on inquiry). Basilica entrance is Free.
Contains a relic of St. Basil in the lower church, brought back after the First Crusade in 1099. In the upper chapel contains the relic of the Holy Blood, which was given to the Count of Flanders during the Second Crusade. The object of much veneration, it is carried in procession around the town on Ascension Day.
MUSEUMS and CURIOSITIES
Groeningenmuseum, Dijver 12 Open 09.30-17.00 Thursday – Tuesday Entrance €15 (Adult); €13 (18-25); €7 (Under 18) tel +32 50 44 8750. One of Europe’s most dazzling collections of mediaeval art. It includes Jan Van Eyk’s Madonna with Canon van der Paele and a stunning series of panels depicting the legends of St Ursula.
Memlingmuseum, Mariastraat 38 Open 09.30-17.00 Tues-Sun Entrance €15 (Adult); €13 (18-25); €7 (Under 18) Six works by Hans Memling, housed in the chapel of St Janshospitaal, a city hospital dating back to the 12th Century and still in operation until 1976.
Gruuthusmuseum, Dijver 17, Open 09.30-17.00 Tues-Sun Entrance €15 (Adult); €13 (18-25); €7 (Under 18) tel + 32 50 44 8762 A fine collection of everyday objects used by the merchant classes of Bruges. Connected by a bridge to an oratory overlooking the choir of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk. Great explanation of the development of the stock exchange system started in Bruges.
The Begijhnof, Wijngaardplein Tel: +32 50 36 01 40
Dating from 1235, with tranquil white painted gabled houses set around a spacious patch of grass, and cobbled walkways shaded by tall trees. The church dates from 1602.
Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk – The Church of Our Lady, Mariastraat Open: Mon – Sat 9.30 – 17.00; Sun 13.30 – 17.00 Entrance: €8 (Adult); €7 (18-25); €4 (Under 18) Contains a Madonna and Child by Michelangelo (yes Michelangelo!), originally intended for the cathedral of Siena-the only Michelangelo north of the Alps. In the choir are the tombs of Charles the Bold, and Mary of Burgundy (who married Maximilian of Austria)
Canal Boat rides
Depart from around Huidenvettersplein (there are five departure points – check at your hotel which is closest), and last approximately 30 minutes. 10.00 – 18.00 Mar – Nov, Adult €15.00; €12.00 for groups of 20+. Call in advance for better group rates and bookings. +32 50 33 00 41.
SHOPPING
The main streets are Steenstraat and Zuidzandstraat, leading off the Markt. General shopping and lots of Belgian chocolate and lace. Banks and ATMs on the Markt.
