Bruges - a Medieval City

Bruges is a small and beautiful medieval city in Belgium. With its beautiful canals it is called the Venice of North.

You can travel to Bruges in an hour from Brussels.

The city is like a sleeping beauty. Slept in 1500s and than woke up in 2000s. It is like an open air museum.

The medieval buildings create a striking contrast with designer shops, cars, tourists with cameras.

P.S. I took this picture in Bruges in July 2012. Although it was summer, the weather was cold and rainy.

A film that pass in Bruge

In IMDB page Huggo wrote :

London based hit men Ray and Ken are told by their boss Harry Waters to lay low in Bruges, Belgium for up to two weeks following their latest hit, which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander. Harry will be in touch with further instructions. While they wait for Harry's call, Ken, following Harry's advice, takes in the sights of the medieval city with great appreciation. But the charms of Bruges are lost on the simpler Ray, who is already despondent over the innocent death, especially as it was his first job. Things change for Ray when he meets Chloe, part of a film crew shooting a movie starring an American dwarf named Jimmy. When Harry's instructions arrive, Ken, for who the job is directed, isn't sure if he can carry out the new job, especially as he has gained a new appreciation of life from his stay in the fairytale Bruges. While Ken waits for the inevitable arrival into Bruges of an angry Hary.

Directed by Martin McDonagh. With Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ciarán Hinds, Elizabeth Berrington. Guilt-stricken

I wached this film after returning from Bruges. I think the part that passed in The Holly Blood Church are very striking.

Bruges is an ancient city in Belgium, in Falmish the city is called brugge. It was established 2000 years ago as a Gallic Roman settlement of farmers and merchants trading with England and Gaul. In 1200s the city became an important international trade center. Bruges lived its most wealthy and luxury days in the 15th century. As a trade port many goods were sent to England, Iskandinavia (Viking Land) and Russia and vice versa..

These days ended by the 16th century, silt clogged the harbor and killed the economy. Days, years, centuries passed, renaissance, industry age, space era changed the world but like the sleeping beauty Bruges stayed as a gothic, medieval city.

After seeing a Collin Farrell (he was the leading actor not the director) film "The Bruges" in 2008 I wanted to visit this city. Last month we made a great Benelux + Paris tour, visited 9 cities in just 8 days'!!

I had only 2 hours to spend in Bruges, As I am interested in painting, I wanted to visit Groeningemuseum, I have read that in 15th century the famoust Flemish primitive style of painting evolved in Bruges. Hans Memling and Jan Van Eyck were the famous painters at that time. Most of their paintings are still in Bruges in Groeningemuseum but I was unable to see them due to lack of time. Nex time I hope to visit the museum.

Having just a glimps of the city in Just two hours, what I liked most are:

Horse Carriages: A horse drawn carriage is a perfect vehical for a city tour. These carriages suit the lovely medivial buildings, it seems for me romantic to have a ride with these carriages.

Medivial Buildings : The Holy Blood Church, Church of Our Lady are fancinating. I had the chance to see some primitive pictures in those churches. Also in the Church of The Old Lady you can see a a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child created by Michelangelo around 1504. The Holy Blood Church interested me a lot as this old church that was constructed in 1256 has many relics taken from the churches in Costantinope (Istanbul) during crusade.

The city hall also is very attactive as a building and I took many photos of it.

Markt Square : There are many cafes and restaurants. Historical and lively place.

Chocolate : So many variaties:))) The shops are all historical buildings, where families pass chocolate recipes to the next generation.

Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival Bruges is organised in December & January and is very popular. The national Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival in Bruges present its ninth edition this year. This interactive winter experience is unique in Europe.

With just some sand and water, artists from around the world create a fantasy world full of emotions and adventures. Discover the magical world of Disneyland Paris during this extraordinary exhibition.

This year the international Snow & Ice Sculpture Festival in Bruges is proud to announce a world first: its own unique interpretation of Disneyland Paris! A fascinating adventure, a surprise packed voyage of discovery in the fantastic world of snow and ice! After your adventure through the ice you can enjoy a heart-warming glass "in the rocks" at the ice bar or warm up in the nostalgic tent of mirrors.

in the historic city centre of Bruges!

A City, immersed in chocolate.

The Bruges Chocolate Festival is organised each year in November at the historic city centre of Bruges. Everywhere is Chocolate. Such a sweet sin.. Chocolate lovers will find a treasure trove of information, but above all will be pampered, surprised and seduced. Themes range from pleasure and creativity, to passion and gourmet tasting, health and wellness.

Taste & Enjoy

Choco-Laté will be the festival of sweet sins. The taste sensations that chocolate makers offer at dozens of stands seduce the public and submerge them in an atmosphere of indulgence and pure enjoyment.

Fascinate & discover - Imagination & choco-arte

During live demonstrations top chefs, bakers and chocolate makers let visitors discover chocolate creations and recipes that they can try out themselves. Attention will be paid to the wide variety of 'creative applications' with chocolate. Sculptors, painters, and body painters will create works of art using chocolate.

Beauty inside and out

Chocolate is used increasingly in beauty products and for a healthy lifestyle. Chocolate massages, chocolate packs or cocoa therapies are just a few of the treatments that could be presented to the public. Chocolate's role in a healthy and balanced diet is also given an important place at the fair.

The perfect match

Chocolate with a nice glass of wine, a big chocolate fondue with fruit, Choco-Laté shows you how chocolate can be deliciously combined with other delicacies.