Go to Bruges within the footsteps of the Flemish Masters

Do you know that the town of Bruges was one of the dynamic cities in Europe  within the Center Ages? It was on this flourishing metropolis that Flemish portray developed, due to famend artists reminiscent of Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David.

Even right now, a few of their best works will be seen within the very place the place they have been created, so {that a} go to to Bruges can also be akin to a real creative journey.

On this information, I invite you to find Bruges from a cultural angle, following within the footsteps of the Flemish Masters.

Article produced in collaboration with VisitBruges and VisitFlanders. Nevertheless, I reserve the correct to make my very own feedback. The opinions and views expressed on this article are subsequently fully my very own.

An distinctive previous: why was Bruges an inventive Mecca?

An financial and cultural crossroads

Within the Center Ages, Bruges was one of the affluent buying and selling facilities in Northern Europe. Within the 12ᵉ century, a tidal wave opened up the Zwin, an arm of the ocean linking the town on to the North Sea. This new entry made the little metropolis a flourishing port and strategic buying and selling crossroads on the coronary heart of northern Europe.

Within the thirteenthᵉ century, Bruges grew to become a number one monetary middle, to the purpose of internet hosting the world’s first inventory trade. Booming, its inhabitants tripled between 1340 and 1500.
Due to its community of canals, the town maintained exchanges with England, Northern Europe and the good Italian service provider cities. This prosperity gave rise to an city elite with a ardour for artwork: patrons and non secular establishments commissioned works, ushering in a interval of unprecedented creative effervescence.

The cradle of Flemish portray

It was on this flourishing environment that Flemish portray emerged, famend for its meticulous realism, luminous element and unprecedented rendering of textures. Names like Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David left their mark on creative historical past. They usually labored in shut reference to the very locations that impressed them: church buildings, convents, chapels, the place their works have been designed to dialogue with structure and spirituality.

Even right now, due to the Maîtres Flamands in situ operation, main works will be discovered accessible the place they have been conceived, making a hyperlink between historical past, artwork and place.

Within the footsteps of the Flemish Masters: discovering works in situ

Right here’s a number of locations the place the masterpieces of the Flemish painters will be seen, introduced of their locations of creation.

Notre-Dame Church (O.L.V.-kerk Museum)

The Church of Notre-Dame is a veritable museum with its many artistic endeavors. Essentially the most well-known is actually the ” Virgin and Youngster ” by Michelangelo, a white marble statue that was donated to the church by the rich Bruges service provider household Mouscron given that the statue stay there without end. The statue was solely moved twice: by Napoleon in 1794 after which by Hitler in 1944, however returned to Bruges every time.

However the two emblematic works by the Flemish Masters will be discovered within the church’s choir. These are the tombs of Mary of Burgundy and her father Charles the Daring, relationship from the fifteenth^th and sixteenth^th centuries, and the Ardour Triptych by Bernard van Orley and Marcus Gheeraerts.

Handle: Mariastraat
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday 1pm to 5pm
Costs: entry to the church is free, however entry to the museum part with the artistic endeavors is chargeable, €8, €7 for under-26s, €4 for under-17s, free as much as age 12

The Saint John’s Hospital Museum (Museum Sint-Janshospitaal)

The previous Hôpital Saint-Jean now homes a museum that tells the story of care and therapeutic.

This museum additionally preserves seven works by Hans Memling, 4 of which have been commissioned particularly for this location, by the hospital’s sisters and brothers. These are the Triptych of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the Reliquary of Saint Ursula, the Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi and the Triptych of the Lamentation of Christ.

Handle: Mariastraat 38
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to five pm
Costs: €15, €13 for under-26s, €7 for under-18s, free as much as age 12

Hof Bladelin

Welcome to the residence of Pieter Bladelin who was, within the 15^th century, one of many richest males in Flanders.

The successive house owners of this personal mansion have left their mark by commissioning a number of artistic endeavors:

• Two angels sculpted by Laurent Delvaux within the Chapel
• Two fifteenth century medallions of Lorenzo de’ Medici and Clarice Orsini, among the many earliest works of Renaissance artwork in Bruges

Handle: Naaldenstraat 19
Opening hours: Mondays and Fridays, 2pm to 5pm
Costs: €10, €2 as much as 18 years previous

Church and Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites

Do you know that within the seventeenth century, Bruges was dwelling to no fewer than 20 abbeys and monasteries? In the present day, solely two monastic orders are nonetheless energetic, together with the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites.

The Church of the Discalced Carmelites, whose exterior is especially sober, however accommodates a richly adorned Baroque inside to show the religion to the inhabitants. A lot of the decor is the work of Brother Victor, who created the excessive altar, pulpit, confessionals, communion bench, inside doorways and wood wall coverings.

Handle: Ezelstraat 28
Opening hours: each day besides Tuesday and Sunday, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Charges: free admission

The Adornes Property and Jerusalem Chapel (Adornesdomein)

Round 1300, Opicius Adornes settled in Bruges and climbed the social ladder due to his industrial acumen and strategic marriages.

The Adornes household gave this property the shape we all know right now within the fifteenth ^century, with a non-public backyard, an imposing home and a household chapel. The chapel homes the tombs of Anselme Adornes and Marguerite van de Banck, designed by Cornelis Tielman, and the spectacular “Golgotha altarpiece”, a sculpture depicting the place the place Christ was crucified.

The Adornes household nonetheless personal the premises and use the chapel for non secular occasions.

Handle: Peperstraat 3
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm, closed Sunday
Costs: €10, €8 for over 65s, €6 for underneath 26s, free as much as 6s.

And in addition…

Different locations current artistic endeavors or inform the story of Bruges, even when these works aren’t their unique place of creation. For instance, I like to recommend the next..:

Groeninge Museum (Groeninge Museum)

The Groeninge Museum is one in all Belgium’s oldest museums. It brings collectively six centuries of Belgian artwork, with a big share of Flemish primitives reminiscent of Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling, Gerard David, Petrus Christus and Jerome Bosch, in addition to extra fashionable artists.

Handle: Dijver 12
Opening hours:each day besides Wednesday, 9:30am to 5pm
Costs: €15, €13 for under-26s, €7 for under-18s, free as much as age 12.

The Historium

Situated on the Grand Place, the Historium gives an immersive journey via the historical past of Bruges. Following the adventures of Jacob, an apprentice within the service of painter Jan van Eyck in 1435, we uncover the environment of the town on the time of its golden age.

Handle: Markt 1
Opening hours: each day from 11am to 5pm, Saturday night time till 10pm
Costs: €21, €17 for over-65s and college students, €13 for under-13s, free for kids underneath 4.

High 10 locations to go to in Bruges

In case you’re searching for extra sightseeing concepts in Bruges discover on this free information the ten must-do s within the metropolis :

Interactive map

Discover all of the addresses talked about on this article on this map:

The place to sleep in Bruges?

Throughout my keep, I put down my suitcases at l’Hôtel Marcel ideally situated only a stone’s throw from the Grand Place. The rooms are adorned with views of the town, and a few rooms, situated on the higher flooring, additionally provide a panoramic view of the Belfry. We additionally advocate the tasty buffet breakfast.

I’d additionally advocate Monsieur Ernest, situated a 5-minute stroll from the town middle and close to a canal, it’s the right place to loosen up.

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The place to eat in Bruges?

Listed below are a couple of connoisseur addresses that I significantly advocate :

Récolte

Dealing with this restaurant, it’s onerous to think about that there’s such a captivating backyard behind the façade. Récolte is a restaurant the place you possibly can eat identical to at dwelling. The dishes are easy however tasty, the environment relaxed and the managers lovely. It’s the form of place the place you shortly really feel comfy, and the place you’d love to have the ability to keep for a very long time – an actual favourite!

Mojo

Right here, you’ll discover primarily tapas-style dishes to share. It’s the best place to satisfy up with pals, in a really convivial environment.

Kaffee Kamiel

In case you love brunch, then you definately’re going to like this place. On the menu: salads, toast, pancakes, burgers, bowls… All ready with care. It’s actually glorious!

Cuvee Natuurlijk

On this restaurant-wine cellar, you possibly can get pleasure from tasty dishes whereas toasting a very good wine. It’s excellent, however you’re taking your time: the service could be very lengthy! It’s a terrific place for an aperitif or dinner with pals, however much less appropriate for dinner after an extended day of sightseeing.

See round Bruges

Lengthen your keep in Flanders: many different cities await you ! I significantly advocate :

So, are you able to let Bruges reveal its treasures to you? Get pleasure from your journey to Bruges!

Article produced in collaboration with VisitBruges and VisitFlanders. Nevertheless, I reserve the correct to make my very own feedback. The opinions and views expressed on this article are subsequently fully my very own.
All pictures illustrating this text are the property of Culturez-vous and will not be reused with out written permission.