In Brugge

Driving to Brugge (Bruges) only took an hour, and we can't help but chuckle that our B&B hosts Dieter and Sophie seemed to feel that a trip to Brugge was a major expedition!

The hotel is perfectly situated; we found it right away, and we can walk everywhere from there. The room wasn't ready when we arrived, so we walked to the main square and checked out a big market with beautiful produce and flowers. On that square is also the Belfort, an 83-metre tall bell tower with a 47-bell carillon. We heard it play The Roses of Picardy!

Then to the Burg -- a square lined with beautiful old buildings. Among them are the Stadhuis, with a carved façade that was completed in 1375, and the Oude Griffie (old recorder's house) with its Renaissance façade. 

Along the way we heard a wonderful trio, expertly playing a Mozart favourite. And it just seemed to be the perfect fit this beautiful old city -- a city where even the street performers are masters at their craft. Bobbin lace is everywhere. So is chocolate. I find both irresistible.

After this first taste of the city, we checked into the hotel, got settled, showered, and arranged to keep the room for an extra night. Our friend in Utrecht is busy until Friday, so this gave us an extra day to take in this gorgeous place.

We headed out again -- this time to the eastern part of the city, to Kruispoort, one of the four remaining city gates. Most of the city wall was knocked down in the 19th century, but these gates, and the moat remain. The Kruispoort gate was built in 1402. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, Napoleon and the German army all entered Brugge through it.

 

Next we visited the Jerusalem Chapel. It was built in 1428 by the influential Adornes family, who had it built in the style of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It has a round tower, an macabre alter with a lot of skulls and ladders, and a replica of Christ’s tomb! It also has the tomb of Anselm Adornes and his wife Margaretha Van der Banck. The Jerusalem Chapel remains in family hands, having been passed down to generation after generation.
Here's a very thorough and interesting article on the chapel: http://www.philipcoppens.com/bruges_jer.html

 

We stopped for dinner on the way back to the hotel. I had Asperges op Vlaamse wijze -- fresh white asparagus in sauce with chopped egg. Delicious! Fred had chicken, and we shared an ice cream with chocolate sauce. It's not a dessert we would order at home, but here, where the chocolate is so amazing, it is a wonderful treat.