A (photo-) blog about the beautiful Belgian town Bruges as seen through the very two eyes of an inhabitant. Sharp, witty, and... always admiring.
18-05-2006
When you leave...
Hildegarde was asking me : what are the origins of these words, which we find on the Barge house. Well, no, it is not the owner of the Barge house who put them there. It was the city of Bruges. It was the "Year of Guido Gezelle", our famed poet and the motto "strong be the language of the words", also by Gezelle. A number of artists, gathered under the banner of @rtwords-@rtwords, were invited to express the city's image in words. The official mandate was : use language to paint the image of Bruges and bring it into its historical core. I can only surmise that Peter Verhelst, born in Bruges, is the author of the words found on the Barge house. One of his texts is also adorns the back of the seats in the Concert Hall. Moreover, it is also Verhelst who wrote the official poem of the city of Bruges (2002, cultural capital of Europe) - "On a day they appeared/they swarmed/over the city and nestled/we gave them our food/On a day, they disappeared/And yet, they stayed/We had them visit us at night/In our own, strange-coloured dreams." Both texts do have the same tenor.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
When I come back....
"When you leave, will you be coming back? When I come back, will you be here?"
I cannot think of a better spot to have this text than exactly there where the greatest number of day-tourists are gathering to leave the city : where their bus is waiting to take them back home.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
street musician
Seen recently on television, in one of those Reality-TV programs named "Life as it is : OCMW" (Public Centre for Social Assistance). This particular sequence was filmed in Bruges and, if you happened to view it, you might remember having seen this street-musician. He could no longer pay his rent because he did not find/seek enough work and found himself with family and belongings in the street and, ultimately, had to rely on the Public Welfare organization.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
From my archives
Dark-weather days are a perfect occasion to delve in my archives. Taking photos when it rains does have its charm, but that is mostly lost on me
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood procession
The most significant day in the life of Bruges is almost upon us. Let's hope the weather shall be better than what it is like today (and, listening to the weather forecast, let's also hope for the next few days). Rain is the bane of a procession with thousands of participants, all decked out in magnificent costumes. Most of these beautiful clothes can hardly be rainproofed. This is the Stabat Mater, surrounded by a chorus of girls. The Pieta statue, Mary holding her deceased son on her lap, symbolizes the unspeakable suffering which is also the lot of those surviving the deceased.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Je t' adore
In the words of Kate Ryan :
"je t' adore, anyone can see it."
I am talking about Bruges. Whom was Kate Ryan singing about, tonight? (she was Belgium's representative at the Eurovision songfest)
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Sint Amands street
. All these houses with the corbie gables are in the Sint Amands street and in the foreground is the Sint Amands square.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
As the crow flies..
It's rather nice to find these arrows, at every lookout of the Belfort, pointing towards cities and villages surrounding Bruges. Some are nearby, some others quite far away but the distances are all indicated, in kilometers... as the crow flies.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Port
Few people have ever seen the Port of Bruges this way. In the distance, one can see the tower of Lissewege. There was a light fog when this photo was taken, but on a clear day, you can see as far as Zeebrugge and the sea.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
"Men at Work" in the Sint-Jacobs street.
You have to climb 366 stairsteps to see this magnificent view of Bruges. On this photo, you can see the last phase of the improvement work being done in the St. Jakobs street. You can even see the small tower of the Bladelin Court and the Beehive, and, to the right the Ambiorix on the Eiermarkt (Egg Market).
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood procession
Precisely one more week before we have the Sacred Blood procession once more. It is very likely that the depiction of the Golgotha will be part of the procession again. It will be symbolized by the miraculous cross of Damme. According to the legend, the cross was fished from the sea by fishermen from the city of Damme. The cross has been honoured since the year 1339 in the Notre-Dame Church of that city.
18-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
17-05-2006
Georges Dumerey
Georges Dumery. In Bruges, the name rings as a bell. As well it should since he... poured bells. Throughout the centuries, the Halltower was damaged by several fires. In 1741, a fire completely destroyed the belfry and Georges Dumery was commissioned to replace the 46 bells, as well as a Victory Bell. Which he did. But not all Dumery bells are in Bruges. Damme, Antwerp and quite a few other cities are the proud possessors of Dumery bells. In Bruges, however, there is also a Dumery bell outside the Halltower, namely here, on the "Joris Dumery square", on the corner of the Boeverie street. This bell too, was rung by hand, but only in very exceptional circumstances and, for no longer than 10 minutes.
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Prinsenhof (Princes' Court)
Maria of Burgundy. The name still inspires respect in Bruges. And yet, her life and her achievements go back a good 500 years. During her all too short life, she did not live in Bruges all that long, and yet, this particular period in time still evokes a magical echo. That she married Maximilian of Austria is general knowledge. And so is the fact that she died on March 27, 1482, a few days after being thrown from her horse. But while in Bruges, Maria of Burgundy and Maximilian of Austria lived at the Princes Court.
In a fragment of the admirable "excellente cronike van Vlaenderen" (excellent chronicle of Flanders) we find the following anecdotal story of how Maria came to be married to Maximilian :
"On the 16th day of April 1477 there arrived in Bruges a delegation, sent by emperor Frederik III, to speak to our queen (Maria of Burgundy) and her noble counsellors. (.....) The delegates message and supporting letters, bearing the true seal of the emperor, announced that Maximilian, son of the emperor, wished to take Mary of Burgundy, sole daughter of the Duke Karel (Charles) as his wife. These letters had been written jointly by the emperor and Duke Karel when the latter was still alive, and the documents spelled out all provisions and conditions whereupon the two men had agreed after their discussions, which took place in the city of Neuss. These acts and letters of intention were delivered to Maria of Burgundy. Considering the far-reaching and beneficial effects on many affairs of state such an alliance would mean, Maria and her noble counsellors agreed to the marriage. The wedding took place on the 21st day of April, at 11:00 o"clock in the evening, at the Princes Court in Bruges. Since the traditions of the nobility demanded that the wedding had to be immediately consumed, the Duke of Beieren (Bavaria) spent the night in our noble ladys room, in the name of Maximilian. On his right hip the Duke of Bavaria had a weapon by which he proved to Maximilian that he would help and protect the bride against all her enemies. When all this had been accomplished, wine and sweets were served and the delegation left Bruges, well pleased and full of joy to have succeeded in their mission, each according to their rank."
Dont imagine that in 1477 the Princes Court looked anything as what it is now. Through the centuries, it fell in different hands, Parts were demolished, other parts were added, and there were restorations galore. And now, once again, at the treshhold of the 21st century, drastic changes are in store for the Prinsenhof domain : only the tower building and the two French neo-gothic wings dating from the end of the 19th century will be kept standing and undergo restoration.
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Rozenhoedkaai (The Rosehat quay)
The same restaurant which was the subject of yesterday's photo, the "Duc de Bourgogne" (the Duke of Burgundy). Today, we are looking at it from above. This is the Rozenhoedkaai. Notice the usual throng of sightseers, gathered at the corner, and see how all the elements of an idyllic Bruges picture come together here : the water lapping along the walls of the canal, the small boat, eventually a swan nearby, and a few old (or pseudo-old) houses. Then right and left a beautiful tree and behind it all, domineering a truly magnificent view, the majesty of the Halle toren (the Hall tower). Oops, they are looking at me !?!
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Concertgebouw
The people of Bruges use their language in a very picturesque manner and are always ready to comment upon facts and situations in the city. The building of this concert hall was barely finished when they had already a different name for it : the new Pizza Hut ( Pizza Hut ). When you are at the Albert I Park and look towards the concert hall, and compare it with the logo of the international pizza concern, you have to admit that the mocking name is not all that much amiss.
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Candidate for the title of "Smallest Window"
This is one of three candidates for the title of smallest window in Bruges. Curiously enough, all three have the same form. This one is on the corner of the Smedenstraat (the Blacksmith street) and the Zeven Sterrenstraat (the Seven Stars street), barely a few steps away from the Vrijdagmarkt (the Friday Market) and 't Zand (the Sand).
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Ay Marieke
Without love, warm love
The light, the dark light reigns
And the sand scours my land
My flat land, My Flandersland
Ay, Marieke, Marieke
I loved you so much
Between the towers
Of Bruges and Ghent
Ay, Marieke, Marieke
So long ago
Between the towers
Of Bruges and Ghent
In 1988, between the towers of Bruges and Ghent, but really quite near the towers of Bruges (namely near the Coupure) a statue of Marieke was unveiled. The Brel fan and expert Johan Antierens who was then still among the living, gave a speech at the ceremony. Jacques Brel wil eternally be linked with Belgium, and even with his "flatland", even though he spit on Flanders and the Flemish now and again, the Flemish being - in his opinion - a rather narrowminded lot. This mitigated love was - and still is - quite reciprocal.. Last year, while the Walloons elected Brel as the all-time great Belgian personality, the Flemish left him in 7th position. The girl Marieke of the song really did exist. It seems he knew her, somewhere in West-Flanders, when he was still a young boy. "Marieke" is probably still around, a glorious unknown, living in a small appartment in Knokke.
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood procession
The bearing of the Cross. The Cross... symbol of the suffering and of the eternal life Jesus brought his followers. During his symbolic calvary-walk through Bruges, Jesus receives some help from Simon of Cyrene. A bit further up (but outside the scope of this picture) Veronica, will wipe the sweat and blood from the face of Jesus, and there is also the mother of Jesus, leaning on John the Apostle.
17-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
16-05-2006
Duc de Bourgogne (Duke of Burgundy)
All who know about Bruges, do, of course, know the hotel Duc de Bourgogne. Sitting right in the fold between the Rozenhoedkaai and the Groenerei, the hotel is reached by way of the Huidevettersplein (the Tanners square) and this photo has been taken from the Wollestraat (the Wool street). What most people do not know is that, between 1799 and 1800, during the French Régime, a great many church possessions were seized, some churches were demolished, and even parts of them sold and transported to France and elsewhere. The most flagrant example was the demolition of the gigantic Sint-Donaat Cathedral, which used to stand on the Burg. The small marble columns you see here (the restaurant of the hotel Duc de Bourgogne) are from this famous Sint-Donaat cathedral..
16-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
modern art
Contemporary art, alongside the Dijver.
16-05-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
E-mail me
Push this button to e-mail me.
Guestbook
Push this button if you like to leave a note in my guestbook
