Minnewater
The “lake of love” at the south end of the old town, with swans and a lock house.
Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Minnewater was once the harbour basin where boats from Ghent unloaded. Today it is a quiet lake in a park, with the old lock house and a 15th-century powder tower.
Its name has been read as “lake of love”, and lovers come to its bridge; the swans on it are said to be kept by the city since the 15th century as a penance for beheading a hated official, Pieter Lanchals, whose name means long neck. Visit it in 3D ›
More in Bruges
MarktBruges’ market square, with the Belfry on its south side and the Provincial Court on the east.
BelfryThe 83-metre belfry over the Markt: 366 steps up to its carillon of 47 bells.
BurgThe square of the city hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the old court.
City HallOne of the oldest city halls in the Low Countries, begun in 1376, with a Gothic Hall full of murals.
Basilica of the Holy BloodA Romanesque chapel with a Gothic one above it, holding a relic of the blood of Christ.
RozenhoedkaaiThe most photographed corner of Bruges, where the canal turns under the Belfry.
GruuthuseThe palace of the lords of Gruuthuse, who could tax gruut, the herbs for brewing beer.
Church of Our LadyIts brick tower of 115 metres is one of the tallest in the world; inside is Michelangelo’s Madonna.
St Saviour’s CathedralBruges’ oldest parish church, which became its cathedral in the 19th century.
BegijnhofThe beguinage of 1245: white houses round a lawn of tall trees, still home to a community of nuns.
Horse carriagesHorse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the old town from the Markt.
Canal boatsLittle open boats glide along the reien, the canals of Bruges, under low bridges.
Bruges laceBobbin lace, made by hand in Bruges since the 16th century.