August 13, 2012

Bruges without tourists

The real charm of Bruges lies in its medieval history as a center and hub of the wealthy cloth and tapestry making industry. Its ornate houses, charming and picturesque canals and medieval heroes are witnesses to this rich past. 
Bruges became the birthplace of what is now known as the Flemish Primitives, of which Jan van Eyck (c. 1395 – 1441) and Hans Memling ( c.1430 − 11 August 1494)  were key representatives. Their presence in Bruges encouraged the imigration of more artistic talent. Bruges produced new art, answer to the early Renaissance painting. 
The statue of Jan Breydel, a butcher, and Pieter de Coninck, a weaver, faces the Belfry. These Bruges heroes led a popular uprising seeking more rights and freedom for the city and its inhabitants from the ruling overlords in France which culminated in the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Breydel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Memling
http://www.hansmemling.org/
http://www.casa-in-italia.com/artpx/flem/Bruges.htm

40 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 13, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    Was je er in de winter?
    Mooie reportage!

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 12:25 PM

      nee neen, het is op dezelfde dag gefotografeerd als de reeks van eergisteren
      alleen was het slecht weer en heb ik de foto's zo genomen dat het leek of er geen toeristen aanwezig waren :)

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  2. JennyAugust 13, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Great bit of history. I'm taking my daughter from Texas to visit there in two weeks. Can't wait! xo Jenny

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 12:29 PM

      that is fantastic, Jenny
      hope the weather will hold out for you and your daughter
      we also have Texan friends visiting us all the way from Austin at the end of August, beginning of September.

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  3. FransAugust 13, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    Hallo Anni,
    Vroeg in de morgen misschien???
    Er zijn nog wel minder toeristische plekjes in Brugge zoals je foto's bewijzen
    Groetjes,
    Frans

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 1:07 PM

      ja hier en daar is er nog wat ongerepts te vinden of je kan je fototoestel ook zo hoog houden dat de begane grond met toeristen niet zichbaar is :)

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  4. UnknownAugust 13, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    Ciao Anni, bellissime le immagini di Bruges, e molto interessante la parte storica che ci hai raccontato. Io amo tantissimo la storia medioevale. Ciao, a presto.
    Antonella

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  5. the fly in the webAugust 13, 2012 at 2:30 PM

    Bruges is great all the yesr round....thank you for more photographs.

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  6. DianeAugust 13, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    Beautiful and so peaceful with no people around. Must be out of season lunch time LOL. Keep well Diane

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  7. AntoineAugust 13, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    Bonjour. Superbes photos avec des monuments magnifiques. Je vais te souhaiter de passer une très bonne journée. Amicalement Antoine.

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  8. EsmeAugust 13, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    I was there almost two years ago and just loved it, tourists and all. Hard to say wat my favourite was-the chocolate shops where hard to be. I quite liked the nunnery.

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  9. AnnaAugust 13, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Hm... gefoefeld hé maar 't leverde alvast een héél schoon resultaat op @->--

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 5:24 PM

      maar niet geretoucheerd of gecropped.. dus toch origineel :)

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  10. KristieAugust 13, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Beautiful images, Anni. I'd love to spend some time in Bruges sight seeing. Just looking at and photographing all the lovely architecture would take all day! :)

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 5:25 PM

      or more than a day, Kristin
      there is plenty of material .. and, you are not far from the North sea or Ghent !

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  11. ElektraAugust 13, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Mooie weergave van een stukje Brugge. Deze stad staat ook al een tijdje op mijn verlanglijstje en het zal hopelijk wel eens lukken.
    Anni, als je ooit Mechelen eens bezoekt, laat het weten en ik trakteer u een pint (of iets anders) op de Vismarkt.
    groetjes
    Elektra

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 5:28 PM

      zoiets kan ik toch echt niet afslagen,
      en hetzelfde geldt voor jou als je in bxl komt, ik woon in elsene
      ik ben ongeveer een jaar geleden gaan rondtoeren in mechelen en werd er rondgegidst door een vriendin van lang geleden, het was de moeite en ik had de indruk dat Mechelen in volle expansie was

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  12. MelissaAugust 13, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Such a beautiful city! And beautiful weather for photos. Very inviting, I think. Wish I were there!

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  13. JudyAugust 13, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    With every picture you post, Anni, I love your country more and more!

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  14. LiesAugust 13, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    Daar looop ik elke dag rond, Anni ! Héérlijk... !
    Lie(f)s.

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  15. NilsAugust 13, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    You should visit the alcoves in the Koningin Astridpark

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 8:23 PM

      ik onthoud het voor de volgende keer, Nils.
      Bedankt voor de tip

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  16. HalloAugust 13, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Zonder tourist?! Dat kan niet! Bruggen moet altijd met tourist bij ;-)

    Schoon dan je een information van Jan van Eyks en Memling ook bij. Ik ben daar geweest, maar op volgende keer in Brugge zou ik meer geschiedenis van de stad weten.

    Good job!

    Groetjes :-)

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  17. JamieAugust 13, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    I did a day trip to Bruge many years ago and it was amazing! Much more crowded than in your photos, but simply lovely.

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 8:35 PM

      I tried to point my camera in ways to avoid the crowds -;

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  18. pieterbieAugust 13, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    I didn't know that was possible: Brugge without.

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 13, 2012 at 9:15 PM

      it was possible and the pictures are the proof -;

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  19. Emm in LondonAugust 13, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    What stunning photos Anni!! I love Europe's old medieval cities, in fact I can't get enough of them. I have a tendency to avoid people in photos so these days I try include them more!

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    1. This is BelgiumAugust 14, 2012 at 11:03 AM

      thank you Emm!
      sometimes I am going the pic without people track, the next day I am going the other way around
      depends on the mood, light, setting... and the people, I guess?

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  20. MichelleAugust 13, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Beautiful photos!

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  21. :.tossan®August 14, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    The photographic work is perfect ... Formidable!

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  22. AnonymousAugust 14, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    ça y est j'ai le coup de foudre pour ces façades

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  23. UnknownAugust 15, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    Hello, these are really cool photos!! By the way I did not know that info about Bruges - Thanks!

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  24. JeroenAugust 15, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Ik leer bij over mijn eigen stad!
    Leuke plekjes... waar niet iedereen komt.

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  25. Sandra GardenerAugust 19, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    Hello, Anna! Beautiful pics of Bruges. I've been to this beautiful city. It is a fantastic city!

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