BRUGES CITY SPECIAL: Capturing hearts
Breathtakingly beautiful and picture-postcard perfect. The historic city centre of Bruges is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO but there is much more to discover in this fairytale medieval town, with an abundance of culture and gastronomy around every corner.
TEXT: MALIN NORMAN| TOP PHOTO: TRIËNNALE BRUGGE 2018 © STUDIO KCA SKYSCRAPER (THE BRUGES WHALE)
Bruges is a city that will capture your heart. Its history has made it great and earned it the title of a Unesco World Heritage City. Bruges rightly deserves its status as an enchanting tourist mecca, with its fantastic past, but also its present, being a true gem. The cobbled alleys and photogenic market squares are home to countless culinary and cultural secrets, and exciting events are held on a daily basis. Classic sites such as Groeninge Museum and Hospital Museum go hand in hand with modern discoveries such as the Black Swan Gallery, one of a new breed of art galleries.
Of course, shops full of beer and chocolate are plentiful, yet there is so much more to discover in the culinary area. For good reason, Bruges is called one of Europe’s gastronomic centres and boasts an abundance of cafés and restaurants serving authentic Belgian cuisine as well as international delicacies. Why not try the mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes at The Olive Tree or Restaurant POMPERLUT, or tasty take-away pasta from Bocca Pastabar. And for a cosy place to stay the night, check in at the peaceful and exclusive guesthouse Number 11, perfect for a romantic getaway, or the award-winning bed & breakfast The Townhouse.
They are all waiting to be discovered!
TRIËNNALE BRUGGE 2018. PHOTO © SELGASCANO PAVILLION
DO NOT MISS:
This month is a great time to explore contemporary art and architecture in Bruges. For instance, impressive constructions by contemporary artists and architects worldwide will appear in the historic city centre during Bruges Triennial 2018: Liquid city. From 5 May to 16 September, this art trail with surprising installations spreads right across the city centre to reflect how flexible, fluid and resilient a historic city like Bruges can be at a time when nothing seems certain.
Handmade in Brugge wants to boost Bruges’ profile as a city of inspiring artisans, rooted in long-standing traditions but bursting with innovation and creativity. That is why Handmade in Brugge is opening a unique pop-up store: DE MAKERSREPUBLIEK (the makers’ republic). Step into this impressive indoor greenhouse and discover the production techniques of the past, present and future, thanks to a range of exhibitions.
TRIËNNALE BRUGGE 2018. PHOTO © NLÉ MAKOKO FLOATING SCHOOL II, VENICE BIENNALE 2016
VISIT BRUGES’ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Beaufort Art Triennial by the sea
30 March – 30 September
Once every three years, Beaufort brings national and international artists to the Belgian coast to exhibit their works in the natural setting of the coastal landscape. This is now in its sixth edition.
Bruges Triennial 2018: Liquid City
5 May – 16 September
Impressive constructions by contemporary artists and architects worldwide will appear in the historic city centre from 5 May to 16 September 2018. They are answers to the consequences of today’s liquid society.
Gold
7 May – 13 May
A new festival connecting the finest of the Bruges Golden Age: the fascinating history, building heritage, art treasures and, above all, music that for centuries has set the tone from Scandinavia to the tip of Italy and from England to Poland.
Relive the battle for the North Sea
21 April – 31 August
Relive the history of St. George’s Day in 1918 in the exhibition 14-18, the battle for the North Sea, in the Provincial Court on the Market Square. Here, you can experience the stifling conditions on board a U-boat and the tension of the nocturnal British raids.
Budapest Festival
16 – 19 May
Three-day music festival with concerts from the renowned Budapest Festival Orchestra, directed by Iván Fischer.
TRIËNNALE BRUGGE 2018. PHOTO © JAROSLAW KOZAKIEWICZ
Barrio Cantina
8 – 10 June
A fun market where you can order a wide range of world dishes and street food from original food trucks.
Feest in ‘t Park
30 June
World music festival.
Navy Days
30 June – 1 July
For two days, you can hop from one impressive ship to the next in Zeebrugge, under the guidance of Belgian and international sailors.
www.visitbruges.be/en/navy-days
Cactusfestival
13 – 15 July
For the past 36 years, Bruges has been glowing with anticipation for the national and international heroes that Cactusfestival annually hosts in Minnewaterpark.
MOODS!
27 July – 9 August
MOODS! lightens up July and August, bringing atmosphere to the centre of Bruges. Spread out over eight concert evenings, the summer music festival offers a wide array of relevant sounds, with the illustrious medieval city of Bruges as a scenery.
www.moodsbrugge.be
Start planning your trip to Bruges now, at www.visitbruges.be.
TRIËNNALE BRUGGE 2018. PHOTO © RUIMTEVELDEWERK G.O.G.
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