Bruges - Brugge...
The City of Bruges is famous for its architecture, historic culture and of course, beer.
Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire at 122m makes it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.
Bruges is also famous for its 13th-century Belfry, housing a municipal Carillon comprising 47 bells. The city still employs a full-time bell ringer, who puts on regular free concerts.
Other famous buildings in Bruges include:
- The Beguinage
- The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek). The relic of the Holy Blood, which was brought to the city during the First Crusade, is paraded every year through the streets of the city. More than 1,600 inhabitants take part in this mile-long religious procession, many dressed as medieval knights or crusaders.
- The modern Concertgebouw ("Concert Building")
- The Old St-John's Hospital
- The Saint-Salvator Cathedral
- The Groeningemuseum
- The City Hall on the Burg square
- The Provincial Court (Provinciaal Hof)
- The preserved old city gateways: the Kruispoort, the Gentpoort, the Smedenpoort and the Ezelpoort. The Dampoort, the Katelijnepoort and the Boeveriepoort are gone.
Bruges also has a very fine collection of medieval and early modern art, including the world-famous collection of Flemish Primitives. Various masters, such as Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck, lived and worked in Bruges.
Taking a tour of Bruges in a horse drawn carriage is a must for any first time visitors. The same can be said for a tour of one of the famous breweries, located within the centre of the city.
Outside the city walls cycling is a popular past-time with many locals and tourists taking day trips around the pleasant canals and slightly further afield into Holland.
Source Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugge