Monuments

Procession of the Holy Blood back after three years - LIVE stream as from 3PM

May 10, 2022 - 16:11

On Ascension Day (usually in May) the Procession of the Holy Blood takes place in the town centre, during which the relics of the Holy Blool are carried through the town. They are followed by around 2000 locals who illustrate the history of the relics.

The Procession of the Holy Blood was created in 1304 as an expression of gratitude and faith. It has formed part of the city of Bruges’ rich history since that time. The Procession of the Holy Blood is included on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO World Heritage).

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The Belfry tower

March 20, 2016 - 16:16

The belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger. A narrow, steep staircase of 366 steps, accessible by the public for an entry fee, leads to the top of the 83-meter-high building, which leans about a meter to the east.

The 83 meter high belfry or hallstower (halletoren) is Bruges' most well-known landmark and its most symbolic civil monument.

City Hall

March 20, 2016 - 15:42

The building was completed in 1421 but enlarged and adapted to the needs in the centuries that followed. The facade is richely decorated with gothic windows, towers, statues and the coat of arms of subordinate towns. Inside you should not miss the impressively decorated gothic room. There is also a museum on the ground floor.
The 14th Century Town Hall, with its long, elaborate windows, statues and octagonal turrets, was built in a splendid and dizzying Gothic style. It replaced the 9th century castle of Baldwin I, count of Flanders.

The old guild houses

March 20, 2016 - 12:09

Guild houses were commissioned by the various guilds. They were the administrative seat of the organisation and the place where they held their meetings. These houses were generally copiously decorated and surviving examples can stilll be counted among the most impressive civil structures in the historic center.

The Burghers' Lodge (Poortersloge)

March 19, 2016 - 15:48

The Poortersloge was built at the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century in the commercial heart of Bruges. This side of Bruges was the area where the international trade took place, ships were loaded and unloaded. In the immediate vicinity were the nationhouses of the most important trading partners and next door was the toll house, where goods had to cleared and tax was levied.

The Poortersloge (Burgher's Lodge) was the meeting place for the richer and more important members of the Bruges society.

Palace of the Liberty of Bruges

March 19, 2016 - 12:20

The palace of the Liberty of Bruges is a gold trimmed building on the burg square and dates from 1722 to 1727, when it replaced a 16th-century building as the seat of the Liberty of Bruges. The palace later became a courthouse and now houses the city council's administration.

The room of interest is the original courtroom located in the rear of the building. The fireplace mantel is stunning, a gigantic carved-wood masterpiece.

Saint John's hospital

March 18, 2016 - 16:01

At the time of its foundation its function was not limited to the health function but it also was a place where travellers could find shelter or the needy (in the broad sense of the word) could find help. So at that time it was more a guesthouse than a clinic. Gradually it evolved to a real hospital in the meaning we know now and it remained a working clinic until 1978 when a new modern hospital was built outside the town center. Nowadays it has a museum function and is a venue for exhibitions, congresses and other events.