Bruges |
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Beautiful medieval architecture, museums full of works by such masters as Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, Petrus Christus, Hugo van der Goes and Gerard David, the captivating canals because of which Bruges is often called Venice of the North. This makes the city one of the most beautiful and popular spots in Belgium. A place that must necessarily visit.
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Belfry and cloth hall
A magnificent 83-meter belfry dominates the market and is one of the symbols of the city. At its feet stand quadrilateral hall (Hallen), with impressive dimensions 84 meters long and 45 meters wide. The original cloth hall and belfry were built in 1240 a year and topped with a wooden tower. In the year 1280 it was completely destroyed along with the municipal archives and the treasury. The new tower, this time made of stone, was built in the 1300 year.
From the fourteenth to the eighteenth century, the authorities announced all laws and government regulations from the balcony above the entrance to the belfry. The statue of the Virgin Mary above the balcony, just like the monuments of the virgin scattered throughout the city, is decorated with garlands in May.
Small corner towers on the second level are dated to the fourteenth century. An octagonal lantern was added to the tower in 1483-1487. Its peak was topped with a spire with the image of Saint Michael holding a banner in his hand and a dragon under his feet.
In the 1493 year, during the fire, the spire was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt and for centuries decorated the belfry, until 1741, when a fire occurred, which again destroyed the spire. It was decided not to rebuild it. For this reason, the tower is currently a bit lower. In the 1822 year, an openwork stone attic in the gothic style was built on the top of the bell tower. The impressive bell tower and cloth hall testify to the great role of Bruges as a trade center in the Middle Ages.
In 1399 a year on the rectangular courtyard of the cloth hall surrounded by the line of long galleries there were 384 stalls. From the north side there are stairs to the top of the belfry. Exactly 366 stairs.
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Treasury - On the first level there was a city treasury. Here, behind the intricately carved door, in a lockable chest, important municipal documents were stored. The door was made around 1290 Erembald de Smid. They are closed with ten locks. Eight keys were in the hands of representatives of guilds and traders, one was owned by mayor Sint-Jans, one of the districts of Bruges, the last one belonged to the mayor of Bruges. Dignitaries could not give their keys to anyone. The opening of the treasury required the presence of all ten key-holders, which is why it was rarely opened and it was always a great event. -
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A stone floor-after the 122 stairs, we get to the room called stone floor. We can read here the history of individual bells and the carillon that have operated over the centuries on the belfry. We can see many bells.
A big bell-this is the next room on our way. There is a big bell here. In the years 1280-1745 the belfry in Bruges had ten large bells. The last of them cracked during ringing in 1745 year. In 1800 the year, the largest bell from the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bruges was moved to the belfry. Bell Maria, because it is named, was cast in 1680 year by Melchior de Haze from Antwerp. It has impressive dimensions: it weighs about 6 tonnes, has 2.06 meters in diameter and 2.13 meters in height.
Today, the big bell is mechanically moved, but in the past it was put in motion by hand. Its sound reverberates every year, signaling important events in the city such as the Procession of the Holy Blood, which goes the streets of Bruges.
Today, the big bell is mechanically moved, but in the past it was put in motion by hand. Its sound reverberates every year, signaling important events in the city such as the Procession of the Holy Blood, which goes the streets of Bruges.
The mechanism of the clock and the carillon
We reach this room after going through the 333 stairs that. Here are the mechanisms of the clock and the carillon. The clock hanging on the belfry was made in 1748 year by Jan and Antoon de Hondt from Antwerp. It is driven by a three-meter long pendulum and weighs 78 kilograms. The drum, being the mechanism of the carillon, cast from bronze, in one piece, Antoon de Handt in 1748 year. It has 2.5 meters in length and 2.06 meters in diameter. |
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It is believed that its weight reaches nine tons. It has 250 rows, each with 122 square openings. That makes the total number of 30.500 square holes on the pin. All this elaborate mechanism used to start 47 bells are part of Carillon. Carillon rings every quarter of an hour, and every half hour plays melody.
Room with bells-after 366 stairs this is the end of climbing. Visitors reach the room where you can admire the bells that are part of the carillon. Each bell makes a different sound and serves a different purpose (eg. a bell for danger, a valid announcement, to chime the hour). However, what really delights and what is the reason why tourists climb to the top of the tower is the wonderful panorama of Bruges.
Adres: Markt 7 8000 Brugge |
Opening hours: 1 January - 3 December Monday-Sunday 9.30- 18.00 |
Ticket price: Adults: 12 Euro |