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Published: January 15th 2017
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WOW stunning this was my first real up close adventure of a canal medieval township built in the 12
th to 14
thCentury. All that history is visible to the eye. It was kind of weird to be in awe of a town square that once held public beheadings…..
Bruges is stunning township, with canals, cobbled streets, medieval buildings, people of all ages riding push bikes in place of car.
I was amazed by one building which is call the Belfry it’s within the town square which in Europe s named Markt square. This Belfry was built in the late 12
th century and is 83 mtrs in height ! I discovered a Belfry is a tower that was build to house Bells for the township clock, this one hoses 47 Bells which sounds amazing at each ¼ of the hour when they ring. I walked the 366 stairs via a very dark and very narrow stair case to the top, I was rewarded with the most amazing panoramic views of Bruges.
Bruges at first glance seems like maze of streets leading this way and that, weaving in and out of narrow streets and canels. When I was a walking I
was looking at my map constantly thinking I can’t get lost, after about an hour I realised it was not a scary as first thought as the Belfry was the tallest building and the bells rung every 15 mins it easy to know where I was at any given time
I spent a day alone walking through the streets, it was beautiful listening, smelling and seeing that this medieval township has retained so much history. I felt like I was under a spell of relaxation I felt like I was walking on a cloud walking the narrow cobble stoned streets listening to the sound of water pass under the bridges, cyclists on their traditional cruises passing by, to the horse hooves and horse cart wheel on the cobble stones, whilst I admired the building of over 700 year old WOW 700 years.
Our accommodation was in a building that was built in the 15
th Century and we had the best views of the Square, which at this time of year houses Christmas Markets, and an ice skating rink. The Square was alive with activity. The square was lined with restaurants which all had accommodation of the 2
nd and
3
rd floors, so by morning these restaurants placed chairs and tables outside in the sun and people would sit out side enjoying coffee and cake watching the coming and goings of the people whilst admiring the townships 700 year old beauty.
I would say every 5
th shop was a handmade Belgium chocolate shop, it was hard to choose which chocolate shop you would buy from.
We stayed at
http://www.hotelcentral.be/bruges-hotel/ I would recommend this to anyone.
Travelling, we took a fast ICE train from London to Bruges, an easy train trip, I was rather concerned and excited to take a train that travels over 300 kms per hour. The seat comfortable, food and toilets on board, even free WIFI. I would recommend this type of travel to any one of any age, as long as you are strong enough to lift you suitcases in and out of the train, as it’s 3 steps into a narrow door way.
The taxi driver from Bruges train station to the accommodation was a true local been there all his life I would say, loved to smoke cigars in a closed up car… Yes that was a rather smooky trip into
town… It was freezing cold yet I had to weigh up do I suffocate with cigar smoke or do I freeze to death, I choose to freeze..
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