With 49 chocolate boutiques, the Chocolate Museum “Choco-story”, a chocolate trail and fair you will be amazed and delighted in this city. It goes without saying that Bruges is the world’s capital of chocolate.
The only way to discover this tasty universe is by eating and sampling chocolate, of course. The city was once a 13th-century cloth making centre known as Brugge and although it has become a major tourist destination it has a wealth of undiscovered treasures such as the wandering canals and ornate houses, plus the city’s medieval charm.
This historic centre is a pedestrian-only haven that has streets bristling with Gothic spires. The Godshuizen are tiny villages within the city’s ramparts with picturesque gardens, whitewashed façades and glorious silence – they are the city’s haven of peace par excellence.
Bruges Town Hall dates from 1376, making it one of the oldest town halls in all the Low Countries. It is from this building that the city has been governed and administered for more than 700 years. The Gothic Chamber, with its magnificent 19th-century wall paintings and its polychrome ceiling, is a work of art in its own right.
The painted figures illustrate stories from the city’s glorious past. Under the theme of ‘Governors and Governed,’ you will be able to follow the exciting power struggle between the aristocracy, the city administration and the citizens of Bruges.
Upon visiting Bruges, you will immediately notice that this city has always carefully cherished its architectural and artistic treasures from the past. What makes Bruges so unique though, is the way it deals with all this past today – the people of Bruges invite you to join them and enjoy it as much as they do.
Bruges – Cosmopolitan Medieval City Whether you are travelling by Eurostar or Eurotunnel, Bruges is a surprisingly cosmopolitan destination for short breaks, given its compact size. It offers the kind of delights not often found elsewhere – once you’ve crossed the circling canal, inside the city walls you’ll discover streets full of charming historic houses and nearby canals.