Bruges, Belgium

Bruges (Dutch: Brugge) is a historic city in northwest Belgium and the capital of the province of West Flanders. Known as the Venice of the North, it is a popular tourist destination famous for its scenic canals, medieval buildings, and historic city center, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The College of Europe, a prestigious postgraduate institute for European studies, was founded in Bruges in 1949.

• Zeebrugge, a subdivision of Bruges, serves as the city’s main port and is an important hub for both trade and tourism. Located on the North Sea coast (51°19'48.7"N 3°12'20.8"E), the port area offers numerous cafés, restaurants, and accommodation options.
• The Belfry of Bruges (Belfort) (51°12'29.9"N 3°13'28.5"E) is a medieval bell tower and one of Bruges’ most prominent landmarks. Situated on the Markt, the city’s central square, the Belfry overlooks a collection of other historic buildings, including the neo-Gothic Provinciaal Hof, Cranenburg House, and the old Post building, as well as statues of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck. Inside the Belfry, visitors can also explore XPO Salvador Dalí, a permanent exhibition featuring paintings, sculptures, and other works by the surrealist artist.
• St. Salvator’s Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, 51°12'19.9"N 3°13'17.3"E) is the main church of Bruges. Standing 99 meters tall, it was built in a combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles. Its impressive organ was crafted in the 18th century by Flemish organ builder Jacobus Van Eynde.
• The Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, 51°12'16.8"N 3°13'27.5"E) dates back to the 13th century and features the tallest tower in Bruges. Inside, visitors can admire the famous white marble statue of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, one of the few of his works located outside Italy.
• Located in the former mansion of Louis de Gruuthuse (51°12'18.7"N 3°13'29.6"E), Gruuthuse Museum showcases a collection of historic furniture, musical instruments, and artifacts.
• The Provinciaal Hof, situated on the Markt square (51°12'31.8"N 3°13'29.5"E), is a stunning Gothic Revival building that once served as a government meeting hall. Today, it stands as an excellent example of 19th-century Flemish architecture.
• The Frietmuseum Brugge, located at Vlamingstraat 33 (51°12'39.5"N 3°13'26.0"E), explores the history of Belgian fries. Founded by Eddy Van Belle in 2008, it is known as “the world’s first and only museum dedicated to potato fries.” The museum is housed in the Gothic Saaihalle building.

Bruges as a Filming Location

Bruges gained further international fame with the 2008 film “In Bruges”, directed by Martin McDonagh and starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes. The film was shot entirely in Bruges, featuring its canals, medieval streets, and historical landmarks.