Brugge : Venice of the north

because of its canal, Brugge is called "the venice of the north"

The Flemish name 'Brugge' is probably derived from the Latin word 'Rogia' (which was the Latin name of the 'Reie' the river which flowed through Bruges), and the Scandinavian word 'Bryggia', which meant 'mooring place'.

 Minnewater and its lovely park are the entrance to the beautiful city of Bruges. The Minnewater is a canalized lake. From the bridge (1740) one can already enjoy a nice panoramic view over the town. Because of the idyllic surroundings it is mostly referred to as 'the lake of Love', the Dutch word 'Minne' meaning 'love'.

(source: www.trabel.com)

A visit to Bruges isn’t complete without a boat trip on its canals. for a half-hour trip, the price  is : adult : € 7.60

children aged 4 to 11 (accompanied by an adult): € 3.40

children under 4: free

pic above & below : the canal overlooking Belfry tower at Market Square

pic below: St John's Hospital,  now Memling Museum, the hospital museum and old pharmacy

 

 

pic below : the canal overlooking  Our Lady's Church

 where we took the boat trip. 

 

 the infamous hotel from the movie "In Bruges"  in which the main hitman characters Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) are put up by their boss, Harry (Fiennes). In the movie, it's passed off as a quaint, home-run bed and breakfast, but in reality it's the 4-star Hotel Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce - the one with  2 wood facades over the canal

 

the oldest bridge in Brugge