Brugge Off The Beaten Path Tips by richiecdisc

Jerusalem Church Churches / Museums / Parks Review

The Jerusalem Church is odd in that it remains intact in its original form from the 14th century when the Adorni family, merchants from Genoa, Italy settled in the area and built it and it remains privately owned by their descendants till this day. Copied from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem it is a morbid experience resplendent with a faux tomb of Christ as well as the original owners’ personal and quite ornate burial site. Ornate stained glass windows from the late 1400s make it well worth the pleasant walk out there.

a small local Christmas market

Our VT friend Sabsi was informed by her B & B host of a local Christmas market much less crowded than the touristy one in the Market Square so we decided to head over to Balstraat and have a look. It was a charming part of the old medieval town with cobblestone streets and the remnants of horse stables along one side. Much to our delight it was full of locals enjoying a more traditional type of market experience. There were some local snacks and even beers to be enjoyed. It also led us to the Jerusalem Church which we would have missed otherwise.

Minnewater

If arriving in Bruges or smartly parking your car at the station's lot, you should make your way into town via the Minnewater. It is a very slight detour but a much more scenic route. It offers a great first glimpse of the city you'll never forget. It is a serene entrance to what might be a disappointingly crowded old town. Minne means love in Dutch so literally this body of water is referred to as the Lake of Love. With swans in attendance it is a befitting name though its origin stems from its use as a way to keep water levels constant amongst the many canals of the water laden city.

well worth the walk to see windmills in action Belgian Windmills Review

Not too far from the center and well worth the walk on a nice day, Sint-Janshuysmolen or the stilt-windmill from 1770 is still in use and in summer, you can watch the vanes turn at full speed if the winds are blowing. This was the end of our walk out to the craft festival that brought us to a great church and on the way back to the city center, the great Flemish Pub, Oude Vlissinghe.