Museums of Bruges
In Bruges' museums all tastes are catered for. Admire the work of the Flemish Primitives like Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling, Rogier van der Weyden and Gérard David, and also the work of van Pieter Pourbus, Constant Permeke and many other Flemish painters in the Groeningemuseum, museum for Fine Arts. Imagine yourself in the shoes of the rich bourgeoisie in the Gruuthuse museum and discover what a classroom used to look like in the museum of Folklore. Arentshouse and Forum+ attract enthousiasts of contemporary art. For those who prefer a different approach, the private museums allow insights in chocolate, diamants and beer from Belgium, such as the Bruges' Brugse Zot. Real museum freaks will definitely not be disappointed in Bruges.
MUNICIPAL MUSEUMS
- Groeningemuseum-Arentshuis-Forum+
- Bruggemuseum-Archaeology
- Bruggemuseum-Gruuthuse
- Bruggemuseum- Church of Our Lady
- Bruggemuseum-Belfry
- Bruggemuseum-Liberty of Bruges
- Bruggemuseum-City Hall
- Hospital museum
- Museum of Folklore
- Guido-Gezelle museum
PRIVATE MUSEUMS
Groeningemuseum-Arentshuis-Forum+
This museum offers a rich and fascinating overview of the mainly Belgian history of visual art. Highlights are the world famous collection of the Flemish Primitives, the work of several Renaissance -and Baroque masters, a collection from the 18th and 19th century neo-Classicistic and Realistic period, milestones of Symbolism and Modernism, the best of the Flemish Expressionism work, and a variable exposition of the post-WOII collection Modern Art. The work of artists such as Bram Bogart, Hiëronymus Bosch, Jean Brusselmans, Petrus Christus, Emile Claus, Gerard David, Paul Delvaux, Gustave De Smet, James Ensor, Fernand Khnopff, René Magritte, Hans Memling, Constant Permeke, Pieter Pourbus, Roger Raveel, Hugo van der Goes, Rogier van der Weyden, Gustave van de Woestyne, Jan van Eyck, Rik Wouters is exposed in a variable setting. The museum may be called museum of Fine Arts with reason.
Currently the Groeningemuseum hosts the exhibition "Charles the Bold" until 21 July 2009.
- Location: Dijver 12, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 09:30 am to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 8 (audioguide and ticket Arentshouse and Forum+ included | Separate ticket for Arentshouse €2 and for Forum+ €2 | -6y and schools free
Bruggemuseum-Archaeology
What's cooking in a Merovingian mother's pots? Does she keep left-overs in Tupperware? This museum confronts Prehistory, Roman era, Early and full Middle Ages with our times. On the pretext of 'feel the past under your feet' you discover the history of Bruges by means of all sorts of do and search elements. You are treated to a mixture of archeaological excavations, replica's and reconstructions in an informative, playful way. Through themes such as living, working, life and death, the everyday life is depicted per periode in time. Every period ends with a do-box. In this box you can solve archaeological riddles.
- Location: Mariastraat 36a, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 09:30 to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance:€ 2 | Combination ticket "Bruggemuseum €8 | - 6 and schools free
Bruggemuseum-Gruuthuse
The Gruuthuse museum is accommodated in the impressave city palace of Louis, the lord of Gruuthuse. The house had been in the family's possession for generations. As a matter of fact, their name is derived from their mayor economic activity: trading 'grut', the then most important ingredient of beer. They were granted the exclusive use of the grut in Bruges, which meant that they allone were allowed to sell it. The 'gruthouse' was a warehouse to store the grut. In 1380 grut was replaced by hops, which meant the end of the exclusivity, which became replaced by a beer tax.
In the first half of the 15th century the warehouse was rebuilt into a luxurious mansion for the family. In 1472 the church council allowed Louis of Gruuthuse to build a private chapel. Now he could attend messes in the church of Our Lady without having to leave his house. An other interesting fact is that the house of Gruuthuse has the smallest gothic window of the city.
Today the building is thoroughly restored and serves as Gruuthuse museum. You'll find all kinds of objects referring to the life between the 15th and 19th century. From the plain to the most bizarre: a guillotine and weapons, as well as ancient furnuture and kitchen ware.
- Location: Dijver 17, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 09:30 am to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 8 (audioguide and ticket Bruggemuseum-Church of Our Lady included | -6y and schools free
Bruggemuseum- Church of Our Lady
With the 122 meter high brick-tower, the church of Our Lady can not be missed out on. She is literaly the milestone of the craftsmanship of Bruges' constructors. The church consists of a very rich art collection. Pièce de résistance is the world famous 'Madonna with Child' by Michelangelo. In the choir aisle a world of art awaits. From paintings and sculptures to the 16th century mausoleums of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold and 13th century painted tombs.
More information about this church is given in the category historical buildings, churches.
- Location: Mariastraat , 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours:every day from 09:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 am to 5:00 pm | saturday afternoon closed at 4:00 pm | Sunday: from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance:€ 2 | also combi-pass "Bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Bruggemuseum-Belfry
Just like the Sint-John's hospital the belfry is a big 13th century block of buildings. In the beginning of that century a wooden hall had been built. It was replaced by a stone one in 1240. It is suspected that the oldest belfry should be from that time.
The hall served as platform for trade, while the belfry itself served as assembly room for the city's aldermen. The entire municipal administration, accountancy (now located on the burg square) and the archives (now located partly on the Burg square and partly in the Burghers' Lodge) were also accomodated there. And last but not least, the bells are not to be forgotten. The Belfry was undeniebly the symbol of municipal autonomy. The year 1280 was a dark year for the complex. A heavy fire caused a lot of damage to the interior. This was the reason why the aldermen moved to the Burg square.
The Belfry tower is 83 meter high and after an effort of climbing 366 steps you will be amazed by a beautiful panorama, an impressive clock mechanism and 46 huge bells. Up to this day a carillon produces wonderful music with the bells every day. These concerts are given at set times.
- Location: Markt 7, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance:€ 8| - 6y and schools free
Bruggemuseum-Liberty of Bruges
The Liberty of Bruges used to be the court house of Bruges. Now it is the city archives and the written memory of Bruges is kept there. Past the old Assize Court is the Renaissance chamber. Highlight in the former alderman's chamber is the monumental mantelpiece in wood, marbel and alabaster This 16th century fireplace was designed by Lanceloot Blondeel.
- Location: Burg 11A
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Open on Easter and Whit Monday
- Entrance: € 2 | also combi-pass "Bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Bruggemuseum-City Hall
Bruges' City Hall from 1376 is one of the oldest in the Nederlands. From this place Bruges has been governed for more than zeven hundred years now. The Gothic chambre is an artwork itself, boasting 19th century murals and an in polychrome painted arch. The painted characters tell you more about the glorious history of Brugge. By the theme 'civilian and council' you will be able to follow the struggle for power between the city council, the sovereins and the residents of Bruges.
- Location:Burg 12
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 2 (also combi-pass "bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Hospital museum
The hospital museum consists of two elements: Saint-John's hospital and Our Lady - Ter Poterie
The Saint-John's hospital is the oldest block of buildings besides the Belfry. It is also the oldest charitable institution. The oldest proof of the hospital dates back to 1188, but further evidence proofs that the hospital had been founded a few years earlier. The hospital is located next to the Maria gate, just opposite the church of Our Lady. (This used to be the border of the city, and the Maria gate was one of the city gates belonging to the first ramparts.) The hospital was meant for all sick and wounded people and for passers-by. It were brothers and sisters responsible for the nursing. The city council was head of the hospital.
In the 15th century the city council was still authorised for material issues of the hospital, but the bishop of Doornik was granted all authority over personel. At the end of the 16th century it were only sisters who acted as nurses, the brothers disappeared from the scene. The convent community of Sint-John's consists to this day only of Sisters. Yet they are the vast minority in the workforce of the current hospital, because since the second half of the 20th century they saw themselves more and more replaced by professional nurses.
The institution remained on the 4ha big site untill 1976. In that year a modern hospital was opened in the suburb Saint-Peters. The workforce was placed under authority of a public government, from then on the Social Services, the sucesor of the medieval municipal hospital guardians. In the course of history the hospital evolved from merely a nursing institution to a modern hospital.
Today the buildings of the old Saint-John's hospital are turned into a museum, which gives impressions of the wards and the hospital life of before. Furniture, paintings, sculptures, silver -and tinware are an evocation of the sick and spiritual care that had taken place for centuries. In the hospital chapel all attention goes to the paintings of Hans Memling. This 15th century painter painted his mayor masterpieces, like the famous Ursula schrine, for the Sint-John's hospital. Also admire one of Europe's oldest and most monumental trusses in the attics. The old apothecary and the herb gardens are also worthwhile.
- Location: Mariastraat 38a, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 8 (audioguide and ticket Our Lady - Ter Poterie | -6y and residents free
Second part of the hospital museum, Our Lady - Ter Potterie was also an important hospital at the end of the Potterierei. It was founded in the 13th century and occupied the same function as the Saint-John's hospital, though much in a much more modest way. Since the Middle Ages up to today it has focussed nearly exclusively on the care of the elderly. It is still a home for the elderly.
This historical hospital with its Baroque church contains paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestry, stain-glass windows and a one of a kind silverware collection, all brought together in the 16th century building next to the 14th century three-naval church.
- Location: Potterierei 79, 8000 Brugge
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance:€2 | also combi-pass with Saint-John's hospital € 8 | -6y and schools free
Museum of Folklore
The museum of Folklore, located in the Balstraat, is formed by the former almshouses of the shoemaker trade. Eight 17th century almshouses - with modern architectural expansion - accommodate a collection of old objects in different old decors: a classroom, a shoemaker, a hattery, a coopery, a Flemish living room, a bakery, an apothecary, a hostelry, a dressmaker, traditional textile and an authentic bedroom interior. Every thursday afternoon candy is made according to traditional methods. Every first saturday of september you can join the festivities of Aristide in the museum of Folklore and every sunday before christmas the midwinter festivities.
- Location:Balstraat 43
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 2 | also combi-pass "Bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Koelewei mill
The Saint-John's housemill belongs to the municipal patrimony as well as the Koelewei mill. Both windmills still serve as grainmills. The Saint-John's housemill (1770) is still in its original place. The Koelewei mill (1765) was brought near the Dampoort in 1996.
- Location:Kruisvest
- Opening hours: Conditionally open from June 1 until september 30. every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
Saint-John's housemill
The Saint-John's housemill belongs to the municipal patrimony as well as the Koelewei mill. Both windmills still serve as grainmills. The Saint-John's housemill (1770) is still in its original place. The Koelewei mill (1765) was brought near the Dampoort in 1996.
- Location:Kruisvest
- Opening hours:From april 1 to september 30, every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 2 | ticket Koelewei mill included | also combi-pass "Bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Guido-Gezelle museum
Guido Gezelle is incontestably the most important poet of the 19th century Dutch regions. He was born in Bruges on May 1, 1830. He persued a carreer as priest in the Mayor Seminary. His first years as priest were very stirring and determinating for his later life and work. Amongst other things he was priest, teacher, poet, publicist and journalist, translator, language researcher and an advocate to neo-Gothic. He also had a passionate interest for the Old Flemish language.
In the birthplace of the Flemish poet Guido Gezelle (1830 - 1899) you can find out about his life and work as well as temporary presentations about (word)art. Next to the house there is a romantic garden, with Jan Fabre's 'the man who gives a light' as highlight. Besides his birthplace, there are numerous marks of Gezelle's presence in the city centre of Bruges. All the places where he had lived are marked with a commemorative plaque.
- Location:Rolweg 4
- Opening hours: every day from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm | Closed on monday (except Easter and Whit Monday)
- Entrance: € 2 | also combi-pass "Bruggemuseum" for €8 | -6y and schools free
Choco-Story - Chocolate Museum
The Chocolate museum is accommodated in the historical house 'De Croone' on the Saint-John's square. The house is from the 15th century. Originally it was a wine taverne, later it was used by pastry and pie bakers. In the 20th century the headquarters of the employment exchange, then the police academy, credit bank (Gemeentekrediet) of Belgium and the Flemish Employment Office.
Now it is the perfect place for a chocolate museum. The owners think it important to share the history of cacao elaboration into chocolate and to promote the quality and health factors of Belgian chocolate. There are demonstrations, degustations and recipes to take home.
THe Chocolate Museum is a source of historical, geographical an botanical data, as well as recipes.
- Location: Wijnzakstraat 2 (Sint-Jansplein)
- Opening hours:every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Closed on 24, 25 and 31/12, as well as 01/01. Annual holiday from 08 to 19/01
- Entrance: Adults: 6 €
Groups, +65, students: 5 €
Children: (6 -12) 4 €
Children: (6 -12) Free
Diamant museum
One of the five diamond museums in the world is located in Bruges, on the corner of the Katelijnestraat with the Oude Gentweg. The visitor will start his visit of the museum with a confrontation with the workshop of Louis of Berquem. He will travel in time to Bruges of the Late Middle Ages, a city of international trade, prosperous culture and diamond and juwelry trade. In the spotlight is the beautiful replica of Margereth of York's crown. You will descend by means of a reconstruated pit to the second part of the exposition which highlights the more recent history.
Every day at 12:15 there is a cutter demonstration in the restored 18th century basement of the museum.
- Location: Katelijnestraat 43
- Opening hours:every day from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Entrance:Individual: € 6
Groups: € 4.50
Children: € 3
Demonstration + museum €9, groups: €7.5
Brewery - De Halve Maan - beer from Belgium
Bruges' brewery is the oldest and only surviging brewery of the city. The history of the Halve Maan starts in the 16th century. THe earliest record in the city registers of the brewery 'Die Maene' on the Walplein date back to 1564. In the 19th century the brewery is passed on the Leon Maes, known as Henry I. He founded a modern brewery. After his death his son Henry II took over business. After WW I another generation took over, Henry III.
From the 20th century on, in the year 1981, the famous beer, Straffe Hendrik, was developed under Veronique Maes. A few years later the beerbrand was taken over by Riva Inc and the product remained in city centre of Bruges.
SInce the eighties the brewery is open for visitors. After the disappearence of Straffe Hendrik from the brewers' envirronment of Bruges, it is in 2005 time for something new: de Brugse Zot (Bruges' Fool) was born. It was Veronique's son, Xavier that made this happen.
- Location: Walplein 26
- Opening hours:Every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, saturday until 4:00 pm. Visit with guide every other hour
- Entrance:€ 5,30 per tour per person
