Church of Our Lady
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
Its brick tower of 115 metres is one of the tallest in the world; inside is Michelangelo’s Madonna.
The Church of Our Lady was built from the 13th to the 15th century. Its brick tower, 115.6 metres tall, is the highest building in Bruges and one of the tallest brick towers in the world.
Inside is the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, the only one of his statues to leave Italy in his lifetime, bought by a Bruges merchant in 1506. Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy lie in the choir.
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.
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.
MinnewaterThe “lake of love” at the south end of the old town, with swans and a lock house.
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.