Strolling through Bruges

Bruges has a really romantic corner called Minnewater - the Lake of Love.  As I stood on the bridge and gazed at the still water, at the lawns on either side and at the pairs of graceful swans, I felt a deep sense of peace.  I could imagine young couples strolling hand in hand or lying on the grass and vows being exchanged.  All very romantic.  And before I turned away I spotted several couples.

This is an ancient city which was once a port.  Until the 16^th century it was a great trading post.  Then the River Zwin silted up and the Flemish cloth industry collapsed and Bruges fell asleep.

But, like the Sleeping Beauty it was awoken by a prince.  A strange one – the port of Zeebrugge was built in 1907 and a canal linked it to Bruges.

As Bruges is a walking city you need comfortable shoes.  Strolling really is the only way to see and admire all the streets and buildings.

With such a sumptuous variety of architecture on offer it is difficult to know where to begin. But the canal boats beckon. A smooth, serene sail along narrow waterways which give views, not otherwise seen, of wonderful buildings, with an informative guide telling you what you are seeing and giving a potted history of the City.

Buildings vary from bricks and wood to plaster-faced, plain, ornate, square, hexagonal and octagonal. Some are satisfied with simply edging the water, others hang out over it and at least one spans the canal.

Back on dry land the Main Square is obligatory. It is dominated by medieval buildings such as the 13th c. covered market, a hexagonal belfry (366 steps to the top if you are feeling energetic), and the 14th c. Town Hall - very erect, with towers and turrets reaching to the sky and tall, narrow windows ornamented with the coats of arms of surrounding towns. Across the Square are several 17th c. houses of varying designs.

For a view of the towers of the St. Salvator Cathedral, the church of Notre-Dame and the belfry, I strolled along to the Green Quay (Groene Rei).  It also gave me a chance to sit down and rest, admire the tree-lined gardens and the hump-backed bridges.  Seeing a bas relief pelican over the main entrance to a cluster of pretty little houses I went for a closer look.  It is actually De Pelikaan, homes for the elderly, which was founded in 1714.

 Returning back towards the centre of town I detoured around the back streets and discovered a small square where I found a delightful metal statue - a small carriage with a naked lady stretched across the back seat, a startled looking horse and bowler hatted driver.

As I was on a cruise I had to watch the time so that I didn't miss the return coach.  My few hours did leave me wanting to visit Bruges again.  Would that be the third or fourth time?