{ H IS FOR HARTPENCE }: { bruges, belgium }

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

{ bruges, belgium }

we stayed the night in rotterdam and headed for belgium early next morning.

bruges came highly recommended and it was on top of our list in belgium to see.

bruges is known as the "venice of the north" and what history it has!

this splendid medieval city is one of belgium's crown jewels and was founded in the 9th century by vikings.

{ burg square }

6 centuries of architecture!

renaissance style to romanesque

gothic town hall built in 1376

this is also the entrance to a catholic church that is famous for its relic of the blood of christ, which, according to tradition, was brought to bruges in 1150 after the second crusade.

{ markt square }

small gothic window made by vikings

{ madonna and child }

made by michelangelo

this is said to be the only statue of his to leave italy in his lifetime

handmade lace is very popular in bruges. lace shops are everywhere!

(we had to tip this lady 1 euro to take a photo!)

the cutest

ricky was thrilled to eat authentic belgian waffles.

they were yummy! take some to go!

bruggians are connoisseurs of fine chocolate and there are many delicious chocolate shops in town.

"h is for hartpence"

hayden loved looking into the display windows

mmm....a chocolate shark

{ the minnewater }

"mommy, swans!"

i love this picture

the best thing about europe is all the history and everything seems to have a story. one of bruges symbols is the swan. legend has it in 1488, the people of bruges executed a town administrator with the last name "lanchals," meaning 'long neck' who was related to maximilian of austria. the family coat of arms featured a swan and as punishment to the town, maximilian cursed bruges to always keep swans on their lakes and canals til eternity.

what a good punishment, they are gorgeous!