As I headed from Ghent to Bruges, I had no expectations of what I would encounter. Bruges hadn’t been on my radar but, again thanks to Josh, I added it to my trip. I drove into the city after dark and it charmed me immediately. The old city is built within the confines of canals, which also transect the center of the city. Bruges was remarkably untouched during both World Wars so the architecture remained unscathed. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site some years ago for good reason, everywhere I turned I was in awe of the scenes around me.
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- A view of the town from the brewery.
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- A glimpse of one of the canals.
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- One of the church steeples rising above the houses.
I took a canal tour of the inner city then toured a brewery that’s been family owned for 6 generations. Speaking of beer, Belgian beer was a complete revelation. I made a list of the best dark Belgian beers and was able to check most of them off in both Ghent and Bruges. It’s rich and fruity and yeasty deliciousness. In fact, I was able to score two bottles of the renowned Westvleteren 12, brewed by Trappist Monks before arriving in the UK. Thankfully, the English agree with my newfound obsession and I’ve been able to continue expanding my Belgian beer horizons.
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- It was a beautiful sunny day out.
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- Can you see the date on the front of the building?
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- One of the only wood-sided buildings in the city.
This medieval city completely charmed me in a way I didn’t expect. I wanted nothing more than to order a beer to go with the local dish of Moules-Frites (mussels and fries) and soak in the atmosphere everywhere around me. This is certainly a city that deserves to be savored.
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- I was intrigued by the spires.
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- The Basilica of the Holy Blood (c. 12 century) – Allegedly Joseph of Arimathea collected some of the blood of Christ that was brought back to this church by the Count of Flanders. They have services daily to view the relic.
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- Provinciaal Hof – Provincial Court house