Bruges

“Here’s the chocolate. It’s from Bruges. That’s in Belgium.”
—Dr. Evil to Mini Me

We woke early so we could catch the 8 a.m. train in Brussels and make it to Bruges by 9. The walk from our hotel to the Central train station was a quick 10-minute walk, so we arrived calm, cool, and collected. Panic quickly set in because the signs indicating which of the six platforms our train would depart from were quite confusing. We asked a worker and ran to that platform, only to find out he was wrong. We finally made it to the correct platform with about five minutes to spare. Phew! 😮‍💨

In Bruges, we got on the correct bus, but headed in the opposite direction we intended. Once we finally figured out the bus system, Amanda found the perfect salve for nerves frayed so early in the day.

We began our tour of Bruges with a canal tour.

Forget mind the gap, in Bruges it’s mind your head.

This city is next-level beautiful.

Fresh Belgium chocolates on a canal boat—bonus!

The house used in the 1959 movie The Nun’s Story staring Audrey Hepburn.

A pair of beautiful swans share their canal with us.

Every stretch of the city is filled with architectural perfection.

The place on the left is a B&B.

St. Bonifacius Bridge

Church of our Lady behind St. Bonifacius Bridge

Another tour boat making its way down the canal. I shudder to think how busy this place must be during the summer months.

The Burg (Middle Dutch for Fortress) is a former fortress and one of the main squares and one of the oldest parts of the city. The Burg was originally surrounded by walls and had entrance gates.

Deep in the corner of the Burg is Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Surprisingly, the elaborate artwork is not the Basillica’s primary draw.

The priest in the distance is sitting in front of a wooden case allegedly containing a relic holding the actual blood of Christ. We walked passed and saw the relic, but photos were not permitted.

Joseph of Arimathea owned the garden where the body of Jesus was placed. He washed Jesus’ bloody body with cloths and then wrapped his body in a shroud. Allegedly, the cloths soaked in Jesus' blood were kept in Jerusalem like the other Passion relics. Current theory is that the Bruges relic was taken during the fall and looting of Constantinople in 1204 and brought by crusaders to Western Europe and eventually to the Basilica.

A passageway that was once a gateway to the Burg.

Meringues

The Provincial Court overlooking Bruges’ Grand-Place/Grote Markt.

One of the most photographed views in the city: Rozenhoedkaai or Rosary Quay (pronounced “Key”)

We end our day in Bruges with a beer on the “beer wall” behind Amanda.

Rosary Quay and the “beer wall.”

The classic “stepped façade“ common in Bruges architecture .

The four food groups of Belgium. I love the ribbon: “Look Out Below”!

We had chocolates this morning, must be time for a waffle at Chocolate Bar Bruges.

We’ve been averaging about 6 miles a day and 13K+ steps, so hopefully we’re working off all the goodies we’re consuming.

Ending our day in Bruges at the “beer wall.” Two local brews: Amanda has a Blanche de Bruges and I have a Fourchette. Santé!

Bruges was such a delightful city to visit. You simply could not walk without stopping to gawk at some new and beautiful site. Now imagine walking down ancient cobbled sidewalks looking at lovely sites and continually smelling fresh waffles baking. Bruges was like a dream!