Bruges

Bruges Canal

Today we had our first port: Bruges, Belgium. The medieval town began in the 9th and 10th centuries, but was predated by Roman, Viking, and even neolithic settlements (those Europeans sure know how to keep places around!). It received its city charter in 1128. Canals were built and it developed into an important commerce center. Bruges was occupied by the Germans in WWI and WWII but managed to avoid major damage in both wars.

Canal

We spent the day walking around the old city center. It is a relatively compact area with canals, parks, churches, stores, and the main city square. Since this is a Sunday, it was really quiet when we arrived around 9. Before too long there were people out and about and by lunchtime it was bustling. The canals are pretty, lined with old buildings and filled with ducks and swans.

We walked through Minnewater Park and up to Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde, which was an ascetic community that was originally founded in the 1200s. It was eventually converted into a Benedictine convent. The current buildings date from the 16-18th centuries and are built in a square around a green area. From there we made it to the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which was originally built in the 12th century, although the portion we went into was built in the 16th century. It is said to contain a relic of the blood of Christ collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought back to the area during the crusades. We didn’t get to explore as it was Sunday morning and they were getting ready to start services, but we did sit in the back for a few minutes and get a look. We also made it to the main city square which includes a city hall that was completed in 1421. There also is the Provinciaal Hof, belfry, and other buildings. We made sure to check out some chocolate shops and walked along the canals before heading back to the ship. We did get rained on some, but made it back before a real thunderstorm came through.

Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde