The Burg, Bruges

In a city as attractive as Bruges, it's impossible to take a shot of the major landmarks without the milling crowds obliterating a good portion of the view but I selected this shot purely because I wanted to share with you the sheer magnificence of this stunning place.

Bruges is a city with two town squares. The largest one is the Markt, the commercial heart of medieval Bruges. The second square is called the 'Burg', captured above. Here was, and still is, the heart of the administrative Bruges.

It was here that Count Baldwin I had a fortified castle built to protect the area against the rampaging Normans and Vikings. The castle has long since disappeared, as well as the main religious building of Bruges, the St. Donatius church erected c. 900 AD, which stood on the opposite side to the town hall pictured here.

One of the most beautiful buildings in Bruges, the gothic town hall (1376) was one of the first monumental town halls in the Low Countries. In the front facade are six gothic windows. On the frontside are also displayed the town weapons of the cities and villages that were under administrative rule from Bruges. There are 48 niches for statues. The original statues (biblical figures and counts of Flanders) where demolished during the aftermath of the French Revolution. Their 19th century replacements have also already been changed for more modern versions. In the entrance hall a large staircase leads to the so-called Gothic Hall (1386-1401). This hall was decorated in 1895 with neo-gothic wall paintings that illustrate the most important events in the history of Bruges.

The Burg square is really a showcase of different European architectural styles. Next to the gothic town hall stands the Old Civil Registry in renaissance style. (1534-1537). The decorative statues were also smashed to pieces in 1792, but later renovated. The bronze statues represent Justice, Moses and Aaron. Since 1883 the building is used as Peace Court. On its left side is another building in another style: the former Court of Justice in neo-classicist style. (1722-1727). Inside this building is the famous monumental chimney of the 'Brugse Vrije'. The chimney was built between 1528 and 1581 in wood, alabaster and marble, to commemorate the victory of Emperor Charles V on the French king François I in Pavia. The former Court of Justice now houses the Tourist Information centre of Bruges.

The Baroque style is also represented here. On the left side of the square is the Deanery (1662), the former house of the Deans of the St. Donatius church. It became later a part of the palace of the Bishop of Bruges.

Then, finally, tucked away in the corner of the square, next to the town hall, is the Basilius church and the Chapel of the Holy Blood.