A (photo-) blog about the beautiful Belgian town Bruges as seen through the very two eyes of an inhabitant. Sharp, witty, and... always admiring.
31-07-2006
Sand Sculptures
Tomorrow brings the start of the Sand Sculptures Event. Formerly, this was held in Zeebruges, but now, the sand artists will show their talent in the area immediately surrounding the Bruges railway station. They won't have even half the space they had in previous years. It seems that our city fathers deemed that "it is in the limitations that mastery comes to the forefront". What we gather from their site site sound very promising, though. The theme this year is the history of Bruges, and its numerous legends, which just happen to be one of my hobbies. This photo was taken at the very beginning of the preparation phase of the site.
31-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
30-07-2006
Brugse trapgevels
Typical of Bruges, these staired façades. These are to be found along the Rozenhoedkaai (The Rose Hat Quai) and one can read the Flemish word "Kantenparadijs" (Lace Paradise), A feather for the business. And on the house to the right, Rozenhoedkaar Nr. 6, one can still vaguely see that here was a "Modern Shoe Factory". From the faded lettering, we can guess that it has been quite a while since there was indeed a shoemaker still working here. The number of shoemakers who can still rely on their trade to make a living, in the inner city, can be counted on the fingers of a single hand. They are a disappearing breed. The number of shoe stores, on the other hand, oh well, I would rather let somebody else take a count.
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Nepomucenos
Also known as the "Bridge Saint", because our Saint Nepomucenos representations are always to be found near a bridge. Here, we are looking up to him from the back, and to a view of the Perez de Malvende house, in the Wollestraat (the Wool street) with its polygonal stairtower.
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Jan van Eyck
It's not just on the Jan van Eyck Square that there is a statue of the famed painter, of whom it was taught for a long time that he was the inventor of the oil-painting technique. In the inner court of the Bruges Academy, in the Katelijne street, there is also a statue of the man. What's more, this one is the older one of the two. This white marble statue is the work of Jan Robert Calloigne who, in 1829 and 1830 was Director of the Bruges Academy. The statue was at first installed in the Academy's garden when the Academy was still in the Porters' Lodge on Academy street. In 1878, Calloigne's Jan van Eyck was removed to make room for the one made by Hebdrik Pickery (see previous comment and photo). According to one source, a bigger statue was found to be desirable. According to another source, the marble statue made by Calloigne would not withstand freezing temperatures and... it was moved near the Burg, a few paces from the spot where Jan van Eyck was buried in 1441 - that is, in the St-Donaas cathedral, demolished in 1800. It seems that as long as it was standing on the Burg, care was taken to surrounded the marble sculpture with protective layers of straw at the onset of each winter, in order to shield it from wind and cold. Since then, the Calloigne statue was moved once more, to the protected the inner court of the Bruges Academy, now on the Katelijne street. After all its perambulations, might the white marble Jan van Eyck, which had no less than four different sites over the last two centuries have, at last, found its final destination?
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
'Jean' van Eyck
On the Jan Van Eyck Square, there is a statue of..."Jean" Van Eyck. The statue is the work of H. Pickery and was unveiled on this square in 1878, in the presence of King Leopold II. In those years, French was deemed to be "fashionable" in our area. And thus, underneath the statue, it became "Jean Van Eyck" . At the front, though, one can also see the inscription "Jan Van Eyck". It was thought for the longest time that the statue was in bronze but, during restoration of the work of art, between 1972 and 1974, artsmith G. Tavernier discovered it was made of red copper. After intensive restoration, the statue was reinstalled in its proper place on November 28, 1974. It is 3,90 m. high and weighs 1780 kg. Now, thirty years later, the statue once again is in need of urgent care.
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Ravenstein Relay
If money is no object whatsoever, you can let yourself be pampered in the "Hotel Relay Ravenstein" in the Molenmeers (the Mill Marsh). For a historical sketch about why this building was dubbed "Ravenstein", have a look at this link : hun site
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Concert building cafeteria
Right next to the "In & Out", the Bruges Tourist Bureau, there is now a cafeteria on the groundfloor of the Concert building. You will find it in the corner next to the stairs and the elevators. On busy days, here is what you can see. On other says, not even a cat is to be seen here.
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
't Pakhuis (the Packhouse)
. In the Groeninge street there is a house named "the Packhouse" - 't Pakhuis - I previously posted a photo and comment about this house. You can rent a room in this one hundred and fifty year old packhouse, which still boasts an original, huge hauling wheel. Moreover, from the back of the house you have a splendid view of the small lanes and the passing tourist boats. Here is the house as seen from one of those small boats.
30-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
29-07-2006
High above the group of statues on the Zand (the Sand), Tijl Uilenspiegel is looking out over Bruges towards Damme from where, acording to the legend, he came. Many of us are familar with Tijl and his fame as a popular jester and jokester, and with the numerous pranks he is credited with. Tijl owes his fame to the book written by Charles de Coster.
Charles Théodore Henri de Coster (1827-1879), Belgian novelist, born in Munich, Germany. Coster was born of Belgian parents and brought to Belgium as a child. Later he held some minor official positions and taught at the military academy, but he lived in relative poverty and obscurity all his life.
In writing his finest work, La Légende et les adventures héroïques, joyeuses, et glorieuses dUlenspiegel et de Lamme Goedzak au pays de Flandres et aileurs (1866), Coster had a patriotic motive. He hoped that his picture of a heroic past would inspire the Belgian people to future greatness. His hero was Ulenspiegel (Owlglass), a prankster whom he made into the symbol of the Belgian people's resistance against oppression and tyranny. To strengthen the atmosphere of his story, he placed it in the 16th century, using an archaic French and resorting to forceful vulgarity in his vocabulary. In the novel, Ulenspiegel becomes the symbol of freedom, fighting the Inquisition and the state. Coster was not primarily concerned about historical accuracy in his portrayals and his anticlerical feelings prevented him from stating both sides of the question with objectivity. He found inspiration in the paintings of the Flemish masters; much of their influence is present in his writings. In the Légendes flamandes (1857) he imitated the style of French writer François Rabelais, reviving the local tales of the Belgian region of Flanders with great success. His tragedy, Stephanie, was published after his death. Among Costers other works are Les Bohémiens (1868), and Le Voyage de noce (1872). An unhappy romance is portrayed in his Lettres á Elisa (1894).
29-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
botulisme bij zwanen
I mentioned not so long ago that, if this excessive warm weather did not let up soon, the fish in the waters of the Bruges canals and ponds might well die off. It now seems that the swans are among the first victims of this constant heat. Two days ago, two employees of the "Groendienst" (the Green Team) who were working in the area of the Canal Island and the Still End, found 7 swans who had died. Lab tests showed they had died from botulism - caused by bacteria proliferating in the too warm waters. Fortunately, this extreme heat abated somewhat ever since this morning and we can all breathe a bit easier.
29-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Bruges by night
As a follow-up to the previous photo, here is another Bruges classic. This water-drain can be seen right next to the small bridge.
29-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Afvoerbuis
In Bruges, even a water-drain can be embellished in a special manner. Standing on the small Blind Doneky Bridge, or on the Fish Market, you can see this one when you look towards the bottom of the building where several municipal services are to be found.
29-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Wijwatervat?
Almost everywhere in the inner city, there is, or there has been, a convent. Part of this wall of the Groeninge Museum, for instance, belonged to the Eeckhout Abbey. And the artifact hanging on this wall... might it have been a Holy-water basin?
29-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
28-07-2006
Minnewater clinic (5th and last)
A last look at the Minnewater Clinic in the Professor J. Sebrecht street, near the Minnewater and the station. This photo shows the high-relief white stone sculpture above the clinic's entrance. It represents Our Gracious Lady and child, surrounded by "the sick and the suffering", flanked to the right and the left by two angels. Under the two canopies there are, to the left, Saint-Joseph holding a lily, and to the right Saint-Donaas, patron of the Bruges bishopry. White St-Joire stone was used for the two statues (1m40 high). They are the work of Bruges sculptor P. de Wispelaere
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewater clinic (4)
. The magnificent façade and entrance to the huge building, known as the "Minnewater clinic".
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewater clinic (3)
Simply tho show how impressive this building really is : this photo was taken from the beguinage court, and as one can see, the beguinage houses, while not exactly being the smallest houses around, look minuscule against the background of this clinic behind them. The Minnewater clinic, which now, besides living as well as care facilities, also houses the "Palliative Care" Service, was original in use by the Sisters of Love. On October 18, 1892, the Sisters officially opened the building as the Saint-Anthony Institution, for the care of needy women Shortly before World War 2, the Sisters left the building and under the initiative of Professor-doctor J. Sebrechts (for whom the street is named), the nearby Saint-John's Hospital took it over, thus adding additional space for its medical science department. However, the completion of this project had to wait till 1947 because the German invader had in the meantime exercised its own options for the building. When, in 1977, the move of the Saint-John's Clinic to its then brand-new complex outside the city walls, another use for the now empty building had to be devised. And thus it is that, as already mentioned, it became a living and caregiving facilities, to which the Palliative Care Service was added somewhat later.
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewater clinic (2)
Let's look at the Minnewater Clinic some more, from the other side of the street. This impressive building was erected between 1884 and 1892. The architect was none other than Louis Delacencerie, the man who put a serious stamp on Bruges at the end of the 19th century : the neo-gothic style, inspired by the gothic style of Bruges. Typical of this gothic style are the red bricks, bays, pointed-arch windows, gabled façade, bowfriezes and high chimney funnels, all elements combined here in a particular manner.
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewater clinic
O ja: deze gevel, mocht u ooit de neiging voelen om het na te meten, is om en bij de 175 meter lang. This building has the longest façade in Bruges. It takes up a complete side of the Professor Dr.J. Sebrecht street and the building is known as the Minnewater Clinic. The attic is where one finds the O.C.M.W. archives (Public Welfare Organizations) the very extensive and interesting archives of, for instance, the Welfare Bureau, the Magdalena Leprosy, the Beguinage, the Sint-Jans hospital, the godshouses, etc. As well as the many interesting documents (the oldest is dated 1185) one also finds here the OCMW art-collection. The archives are open upon request but those are few and far between for the simple reason that there is still no permanent personnel to make up a complete and detailed inventory for this very important archive. I know, it is a question of money. But, if it can be done for the Provincial and Town archives, why can it not be done here? And, oh yes, and should you want to measure the length of this façade, you will see that it comes to about 175 m.
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Sunclappers
".Zonnekloppers", roughly translated as "Sunclappers" is a typical Flemish expression to indicate people who love nothing better than lying in the sun. Where most people are dragging themselves along in the heat and are trying to find a cool spot and protection from this very warm weather, we also have a type of persons for whom it is never too warm. Those are the true, unadulterated Zonnekloppers.
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Lacemakers
... on the first floor of the Wollestreet number 9. You saw them once before, by day, here deze foto. Now you can see them at work late in the evening.
28-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
27-07-2006
Reflection (detail)
Just in case you found it hard to believe that the previous photo was a reflection in the Dijver, and not the building itself, here you have a detail of the previous picture showing a slight rimpling in the water. It goes to show that sometimes, the illusion is more beautiful than the reality.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Reflection
Walking along the Dijver, I got to enjoy one of my pet pleasures : a magnificent reflection. This is the back of the OCMW buiulding, reflected in the water.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Legwork
Can I convince you to a bit of a warm-up (hah, what's in a word...) in preparation for the new installment of "Benenwerk" (Legwork)? "Benenwerk" will be the very proper closing event of the Klinkers festival, for the fifth consecutive year. Some sequences are already famous. As, for example, "Silent Stage" a ball where people are dancing to music chosen by the DJ but... heard exclusively through your telephone head-set. The "Silent Stage" dance takes place in the inner courts of the Townhalls.. Better be there early as otherwise, you will have to wait patiently in the queue before you manage to squeeze in. The event has recently been packed and it's only when a participant decides to leave, and gives you his/her headphone that you are allowed inside. "Benenwerk" happens on the evening of August 12, in twelve different spots in the inner city. For more info, check here : de website.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Legwork in the Astrid park
On August 12, you do not have to dance. You can just look, and it does not cost a dime. A Cuban group Havana Impacto of 10 dancers, whose members probably all live in Belgium, will eventually try to get you to dance with them nonetheless. In any event, the music promises to be lively.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Playing chess in the park
Every Sunday morning in July and August, if I am right, from 10:00 a.m. till 12:30, the KBSK (the Royal Chess Circle of Bruges) organizes a chess-tournament in the Minnewater park. Most people never notice that a huge chess-board is installed in the Minnewater park. Smaller tables, of the normal size, are built all around it so people can play a game. Most often though, one sees tourists sitting here, eating a sandwich, or somebody reading a book, although these tables were installed for the chess-players. And, as you can see, young and old come here to play. It would seem that this older player finds the strategy of his young opponent not so easy to overcome.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Geerwijnstreet 11-13
There are quite a few private hotels in Bruges. This one, built in the neo-classical style, in the Geerwijnstreet, is a beautiful example. Built in 1870, probably the work of architect Pierre Buyck.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Geerwijnstreet 11-13 (2)
This impressive private hotel has a remarkable entrance with a balcony above it. It seems a notary now has his cabinet here.
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Geerwijnstreet 11-13 (3)
On the façade of this private hotel at 11-13 Geeerwijnstreet, one can see this stone. Daniel Gillès was born here on May 7, 1917 and died on May 8, 1981. Why did somebody write the figure 3 there? The man wrote several books (in French), one of them "The Mists of Bruges" (1962), about Bruges, of course, what else with this title. It is a guide to the city. If the book is no longer available in book stores, you can still find it in the Bruges Municipal Library. Our Canadian visitors might like to know that as of May 2006, a copy is available at the Victoria University in Toronto. http://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/new_acqu/Previous%20Lists/may_06.htm under the reference: PQ Literature of the Romance Languages
27-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
26-07-2006
Superintendant Van In House
The filming of the third sequel of "Aspe", a television thriller-serial with Superintendant Van In as principal character, is already in full swing in Bruges. Yet, we will only get to view the second sequel on the small screen, this coming Fall. Only the first part of this serial was based on the books written by Pieter Aspe, who had his main character move from Bruges to Blankenberge and even to Antwerp. The producers of the television series found it preferable to keep him in Bruges. They want "Aspe" to be as representative of Bruges as "Flikken" is of Ghent. And for the (television) home of Superintendant Van In, a role being held by Herbert Flack, this house here, on the left of the Wijngaard square, has been chosen.
26-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Erstwhile Meat Market
During the Middle Ages this is where originally the city's crane had been erected. And where now we see a street, there was a wharf, the Kraanvest. When the wharf became obsolete and a crane was no longer needed, a cover was built over this area and in 1771 and 1772, the resulting building was used as a meat market. It is now a bicycle-renting business aimed at the tourist trade. Before that, it was a grocery store. The classical-style building is one of the hundreds of protected monuments in Bruges.
26-07-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
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