Brugge

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Flags of Belgium and it's region of Flanders flying at the Town Hall



A day in Brugge. And in case you don't already know, the name comes from the Viking word for 'wharf'. Since a thousand years ago the sea was connected to the town by a river, which 'silted up', putting an end to their thriving economy. The city of Brugge, is west of Brussels. It's World Heritage designation comes from the fact that the old town centre is a well preserved example of a medieval settlement. In the 15th century it was a major market for cloth merchants. A rich history of trade, as it was a sea port situated on route between the south and north of Europe.

Being the day when the museums were closed, (if you travel be sure to check on that!) we wandered by the canals, ate a wonderful lunch, and toured churches, while my friendly guide explained the historical aspects of Brugge.

We entered several churches and admired the craftsmanship and art work that makes each worth visiting. At Church of Our Lady, is a Michelangelo, Madonna and Child. Wealthy merchants bought this marble sculpture from the artist in 1504. I read that they donated it to the church in 1514, and I want to know what they did with it in those ten years. Was is in their courtyard, or dining room? This is his only piece to leave Italy during his life time. The church allows no photos, and the closest you can get is 15 feet, and it is behind bullet proof glass. Jesus is a chubby toddler and Mary seems to be looking slightly away from him. He stands, barely leaning against her knee, he holds one of her hands, but they are not quite holding on to each other. Just like a little child learning to be independent of his mother, about to step away. And she looks resolved to this, Michelangelo must have wanted to convey that she knew His fate, she is not clinging to Him. While reading about this sculpture I came across photos of another one of Michelangelo's pieces portraying Madonna and her Son. In both, Mary's faces are very similar, but in 'Pieta', her son has died on the cross and is laying across her lap. Claude says he thinks, Brugge's Mary has a quiet, proud smirk on her face, thinking to herself 'this is 'my' son'. I'm not so sure. I would love the chance to study this wonderful piece.


For me the most fascinating attraction I saw, is the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Legend has it that in the Second Crusade, the Duke of Flanders, returned from Jerusalem with this small piece of cloth. Joseph of Arimathea wiped blood from Christs body and this is supposed to be a relic from that. There were only a few 'pilgrims' waiting to view the relic, so I got in line and donated my one euro. A clergy member is seated behind a counter up on a platform off to the side in a chapel area of the basilica. In front of him is a crystal vial, capped off at each end with gold crowns. Inside the vial was another vial holding a crusty object, resembling cloth. Hard to beleive that His blood would have lasted this long, but I do believe in miracles, and I appreciate 'antiques', so...


Along those lines, we have been intriqued by the 'relics' we hear of being housed in Europe's cathedrals and churches. A nail, thornes, bones, and now blood. In the middle ages, religion controlled people's lives and the legends surrounding the relics made each of these churchs unique. To the pilgrims that wanted to be in presence of these relics, it meant divine intervention, maybe answered prayers. And to the church it was a symbol of power, and a source of income. And now centuries later, still is income, one little euro at a time.

Some of the most picturesque places in Brugge were the almshouses. These places were established throughtout Europe, so that elderly could have a safe place to live. Elderly in the middle ages was 50! Small houses enclosed a courtyard where they would keep gardens for food. In Brugge they are now state owned, and still exist as homes for the elderly. Do you think that means me?




Tourism is this charming town's trade now. It looks like a fairy land from the middle ages, photo spots seem to be everywhere. Claude soon said, there is an even better place for photos, around the next bridge!
On the drive back to Brussels, he pulls over so I can get a snap of Waterloo. Yep, the site of Napoleon's last defeat in 1815, actually in the village of Mont-Saint-Jean. It is now a preserved site, with a monument in the form of a huge lion roaring in the direction of France. http://www.waterloo1815.be/en/waterloo/

This visit to Brugge was a day trip from Brussels, where Keith has been hard at work, while I'm out sight seeing. I must say I'm enjoying tagging along with him, the guys he works with are always nice enough to include me in the evening meals and outings. I may be putting a damper on things, but they are too kind to make me feel anything other than welcome.

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Photos

symbols of Brugge
the bear was the city's first inhabitant

UNESCO
designation

overlooking Minnewaterpark
Swan nest in the grass. see her by the tree Maximiliaan van Oostenrijk is the name of this wonderful restaurant

St Anne
Jesus' grandmother

windmill
along the old towns perimeter

tourist surveyors
these two nice girls were participating in a school project and asked me questions about being a tourist. How did they know I was a tourist?

window
the fragrance of this wisteria reminded me of home

Waterloo
this battle ended 20 years of war between the British, France and Prussia

canal
similar to the canals in Amsterdam

Comments

[zsteve]

Very witty..
I really like the "fastest waiter in Brussels" photo caption. And your eye for detail capturing the small gothic window.