The beautiful city of Bruges is the capital of West Flanders in the northwest region of Belgium. Near the coast, Bruges has enjoyed busy trade and prosperous commerce throughout its history. Its many canals, which weave through and around the city, were used to transport people and goods to markets. Bruges is often referred to as the, “Venice of the North,” – sharing the title with Amsterdam and St. Petersburg. The name is thought to come from the Old Dutch word, brugga, meaning bridge. Nowadays the canals, and bridges crossing them, host many tourists visiting the magnificently maintained medieval downtown area.
Most of the streets are still cobblestone and the brick buildings display many medieval details
Madonna and child preside over this street corner in Bruges, Belgium
A little more modern detail decorates this sea food restaurant entrance
Tourist boats cruise Bruges's medieval canals
Admiring the architectural features
The Gothic facade of the Stadhuis Brugge, or Bruges City Hall
Intricately carved figures peer down to the De Burg city square below
Taking a rest at the side door of the Brugse Vrije Museum
Belfort, Bruges's grand, medieval bell tower, with traditional horse and buggy passing by
Decorative brick buildings housing a multitude of shops line the streets of Bruges
Yum - Belgian waffles! And, yes, they are gluten free, too!
Colorful flowers enhance window sills…
…and bridge railings along the canals
This entrance gives new meaning to, “whooo goes there?!” 😝
We loved all the artistic additions to the architecture
Rozenhoedkaai, or Rosary Quay, along the Dijver canal in Bruges
A chocolate covered waffle on a stick enjoyed on a green dragon park bench
There’s a little modern art in Bruges too!
Can you bring me home a green dragon park bench please? An owl and a grouchy face for over the door would be good too. I’m sure the Belgians won’t mind.
Don’t know about a bench or a sculpture, but we might be able to squeeze that golden spider into our luggage for you 🕸️😉
The photo, number 5, of the building in the Bruges blog is the same as a painting I have hanging in the living room. Got it from your grandmother decades ago. Go figure. This city is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. Can not wait to see all the photos and hear all the stories when you get home. Starting to count the days ……😍
I’ve got to admit that I had the memory of that picture and that Flemish style of landscape painting on my mind while we were exploring the city. It’s so unique and lovely that it stays with you.
I’d like one of those green dragon benches too……
It would be entertaining to try getting that through customs! 😜
Being of a civil engineering background, my mind drifts to the foundation of the buildings of Bruges and all the ancillary issues that go along with it, and yet with that said the the city looks to be in really fabulous condition.
Being from earthquake country, I always walk through these old cities in complete fascination, and a bit of primal fear, that the buildings are still standing after centuries in place … much less them being in such amazing condition!
I would love a dragon bench, also. I love all those old buildings. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I pretty much like anything with dragons! 🐉 And Bruges was so lovely, I could have spent months just wandering the beautiful lanes and canals.