One of the foremost superbly preserved cities in Europe, Bruges may be a supernatural mixture of medieval design, cobbled streets and postcard-perfect squares, all crisscrossed by broad and serene canals. With its assortment of spectacular museums, historic breweries, world-class chocolatiers and attractive eateries, it’s no wonder that town is that the preferred destination in Belgium. Gliding down a canal in an open-air boat is a can’t-miss activity in “The Venice of the North”. Whether shopping for the perfect piece of handmade lace or gazing at the artwork of a 15th-century Flemish painter, the attractions in Bruges offer unforgettable experiences for each traveller.

Choco-Story

As a complement to the various chocolate shops in Bruges, the Choco-Story museum provides guests with a wealth of data regarding the delicacy, including a glance at the history of the cocoa bean’s transformation into the tasty treat. Exhibits at this popular Bruges attraction chronicle the discovery of cocoa in the Americas and examine however the new food gained popularity in Europe. The art of chocolate making is on display too, with live demonstrations that supply visitors opportunities to sample the results on the spot. The family-friendly museum additionally includes chocolate hunts for youngsters.

Groeninge Museum

Art lovers will find a treasure trove of Flemish masterpieces within the extremely regarded Groeninge museum. Collections embrace paintings by Jan van Eyck, who spent his final years living and dealing within the town. With its attention to detail and high degree of realism, his painting of the Madonna and kid illustrates the contribution this expert creator created towards the development of oil painting. Exhibits feature paintings from Belgium’s trendy artists still, notably the unrealistic “Serenity” by Paul Delvaux. Other painters represented in this must-see museum include Hieronymus Bosch, Hugo Van Der Goes and Hans Memling.

Minnewater

The canals of city are famed for his or her light flow, and there’s no a lot of better place to enjoy the sweetness of the town mirrored on the tranquil waters that on the shore of the Minnewater, a good canal called the Lake of affection.

The nickname comes from a story of a lady name Minna who died trying to escape from an arranged marriage into the arms of her lover Stromberg. Local legend says that lovers who cross the lake’s bridge can expertise eternal love. Once a dock where ships and barges moored, the rectangular lake is now part of Minnewater park, a public green space that also includes remnants of castle ruins.

Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk

The tallest structure in city and one in every of the foremost visually striking, the Church of Our girl could be a medieval building with a central brick spire that towers over the town. Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk is best famed for the white marble Madonna and kChild statue, the only work by sculpturer to go away Italy throughout the artist’s lifetime. The spectacular sculpture is set on an screen within the chapel’s southern aisle. The apse of the church is the final resting place of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy. Bronze effigies of the last Valois Duke of Burgundy his daughter adorn the marble tombs.

Ten Wijngaerde

Founded in 1245, the “Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde,” usually referred to as the Begijnhof, is that the last surviving beguinage in city. Though the quiet complicated is not any longer home to beguines, it stands as a serene reminder of the religious-minded women who once lived here without taking vows. Today, Ten Wijngaerde could be a Benedictine convent where guests are allowed to wander among the white-washed structures, central green space and 13th-century church. A small beguinage museum offers a glimpse of what life was like for the women who retired from the world and made the beguinage their home.

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