A (photo-) blog about the beautiful Belgian town Bruges as seen through the very two eyes of an inhabitant. Sharp, witty, and... always admiring.
22-04-2006
The Small Fishmarket (4th and last)
The small sign here refers to the earlier name of this house, which fronts on the Fishmarket while its backside is on the Huidevettersplein (The Tanners' square). Ihe sign reads "In Sint Jacob 1626".
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Small Fishmarket (3)
This is the other side of "The Golden Carp" house, on the Fishmarket. It is now indeed a fishmonger, where previously it was the café "In the Jacob", which belonged to the De Meulemeester family. François De Meulemeester did also business on the fishmarket proper. In order to help the fishmongers in keeping the market clean, as was their duty, the city made some improvements, in 1900, to the ancient waterpump, which had been there since 1859. Contrary to the other waterpumps of Bruges, which were all simple handpumps in those times, this one was equipped with a pressure-system. And thus, De Meulemeester could spray the market clean himself. During the years that followed this "improvement", the pump, which was dismantled during the war, became a bone of contention between the Market Master and the technical services of the city. Now it was holes, then it was obstructions, and the waterhose was quite often out of commission and it took its glorious time before agreeing to replace it. Rather than considering that the Reie, from where the water was pumped, was fouled up, the city's technicians said that De Meulemeester didn't know how to use the pump properly, that he did not hang the hose on its hooks but left it lying any which way on the ground, that he...François De Meulemeester, who did not want to sweep the dirt away before spraying the market, argumented that the pressure was inadequate, that the inspector "had it in for him...", that... And so on, and so on...In 1913 the city settled the problem by simply appointing a new Market Master, a certain Schaeverbeke. But... the problem of the waterpump did not go away. The pump was eventually replaced with the one that used to be on the Rozenhoedkaai (the Rosehat quay), but with world war 2, this pump disappeared as well.
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Small Fishmarket (2)
The situation now is as follows : de "Kleine Vismarkt" (the Small Fishmarket) has become the "Huidevettersplein" (the Tanners' Square) and the fishwives have disappeared.. A painter has replaced them and, when the weather allows, you can find him there, painting scenes and sites of Bruges in watercolours, and, naturally, selling them. The old cafés have become tea-rooms and restaurants where, from Easter till October, you can sit on the terrace. The café "in de Jacob" (in the Jacob) is now "den gouden karpel" (the Golden Carp).
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Small Fishmarket
Laat ik het eens hebben over een 'petite histoire' uit het begin van de twintigste eeuw. De grote geschiedenis van koningen, opstanden en oorlogen is belangrijk om weten, maar minstens zo belangrijk is de geschiedenis van de kleine man en zijn kleine voorvallen. Wat nu het Huidevettersplein noemt was vroeger gekend onder de benaming 'Kleine Vismarkt'. Daar werd, zoals de benaming laat vermoeden, de kleine vis verhandeld door de visvrouwen. De marktuitbating vroeger werd, zoals nu nog altijd gebeurt op markten, in huur gegeven aan marktmeesters. Die pachters van de markt moesten, als de markt gedaan was, die schoonmaken. Waarschijnlijk eerder ook al, maar zeker tussen 1900 en 1913 was de marktmeester van dienst een zekere François De Meulemeester. Ik ben op die geschiedenis gestoten omdat ik vroeger eens de stamboom van mijn vrouw uitgeplozen heb. Tot dertien generaties voor haar (ik spreek dan van de jaren 1650) woonde haar familie al in Brugge. Die François de Meulemeester, afkomstig van Houtave, niet zo ver van Brugge, was de oom van de grootvader van mijn vrouw. Deze foto van Flori Van Acker is genomen in 1905 en misschien is die manspersoon op de foto wel François De Meulemeester. Deze foto is op metersgroot formaat tentoongesteld in de Volkskundig Museum. Let op de benaming van het café 'in de Jacob estaminet'. De Meulemeester hield dit café open, samen met zijn vrouw en zijn vele kinderen.
With this photo, I will be giving you a short historical side light. We are at the beginning of the 20th century. While it is important to know the grand historical involving concerning kings, revolts and wars, now and again, happenings on a smaller scale and concerning the ordinary man, prove to be just as important... within the overall scheme of everyday life. What is now known as the Huidevettersplein (Tanners' Square) was previously named "de Kleine Vismarkt" (the Small Fishmarket.) There, as the name indicates, fish was being sold to the people of Bruges. The stalls were mainly operated by fishwives. Then, just as is still the practice now, the general administration, as well as the right to rent out space on the market was handled by a Market Master. At the closing of the market-day, the fishmongers had to clean the market. Between 1900 and 1913, and maybe even before that, the Market Masterer was a certain François De Meulemeester. I happened on the story while, some time ago, I did some research for my wife's family tree. Indeed, her ancestors have lived in Bruges as long as thirteen generations ago (read : the year 1650). This François De Meulemeester, who was from Houtave, not so far away from Bruges, was the uncle of my wife's grandfather. This is a photo of Flori Van Acker, taken in 1905, and the man in the picture is thought to be François De Meulemeester. A meter-sized reproduction of this photo hangs in the Volkskundig Museum. Check the name of the café "in the Jacob estaminet" : François De Meulemeester was the owner of the café and this is where he and his wife, and their numerous children, worked and lived.
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood Procession
As promised, here is the daily photo of the Sacred Blood Procession. Today, nothing of the Procession proper is to be seen, of course. However, visitors are already walking the streets of Bruges, in an advance-search of the ideal spot from where they will want to admire the grandiose event. This is the Dijver. And the chairs you see will be rented at a fixed price on the sumptuous day.
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewater Castle
A look at the Minnewater Castle and the adjoining park, as seen from the Minnewater bridge. The castle is "only" 109 years old. Architect Charles De Wulf drew some inspiration from the 16th century late-gothic style when he drew the plans. Which is why the castle may look older than it really is.
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Minnewaterpark
Minnewater = Lovewater. Any citizen of Bruges will tell you that, when you stand on the Minnebrug (the Love Bridge) and look in the water, you will see the person for whom you have the greatest love of all... Absolutely true!
22-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
21-04-2006
Flower park
Every citizen of Bruges has to pay municipal taxes. 8 per cent of his income, to be precise. But, we do get value for our money. Keeping our city clean, for instance. Bruges is without a doubt the cleanest city of the country. Something else the city does with our money : taking care of the parks. Planting flowers for our enjoyment. Our erstwhile King Albert the First, looking on from high up on his horse, can only be pleased. As are we. As are the tourists.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Gloribus street
A remarkable picture. The old godshouses in the foreground and behind them, in sharp contrast, the Concertgebouw (Concert building). The house at the fore was byuilt in 1436 and is thus the oldest. It was restored in 1958 and two new chimneys were added. The other houses were built during the first half of the 17th century. The street is named after Isabelle Gloribus who, with her husband, financed the building of them. The red Concertgebouw in the background goes back to... 2002.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Pub Napoleon (2)
Would you dare go inside? Should you hesitate, let me reassure you : the dog is as friendly and peaceful as can be, and wouldn't hurt a fly.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Pub Napoleon
"Blog from Bruges" wants to be completely neutral in all matters. My photos of Bruges are Bruges as I find it. When a photo shows, here and there, a business enterprise, it simply means that it is representative of the city's image, or that a historical fact is attached to it. Or, simply, that it is funny or pleasant, as is the case here with Pub Napoleon. It's on the corner of the Korte Vulders street and "Hoogste van Brugge" (Highest of Bruges) (true name of the street because it really is about the highest point of the city.)
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood Procession (1)
From this day till May 25, the day of the Holy Blood Procession, I will post each day a photo of what is called "The most glorious day of Bruges". All the photos were taken in 2004. Let's start with the grandstand, always erected in front of the Sint-Salvator's Cathedral. All the dignitaries, be they of Church, City or Province, are assembled here. In a while, when the Procession will reach this spot, they will join it and accompany its peregrination through the streets of Bruges. Year after year, the procession draws between 30,000 and 60,000 people. Our Mayor, Patrick Moenart, is easy to identify in this photo : he is the only one looking directly at the camera. He didn't look too well, that day. It was later learned he had a kidney problem, for which he underwent successful surgery. To his left we have our Monsignor Van Gheluwe.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
The Sacred Blood Procession (2)
Let me zoom in once more on our mayor Patrick Moenaert and our bishop, monsignor Roger Van Gheluwe. While our mayor has "his pants in high waters", our spiritual father seems to have seriously "worn out his shoes" (as is our delicate way of saying such things here...)
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Outside the Forgers' Gate (3)
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Outside the Forgers' Gate (2)
An impressive bit of nature at the outskirts of the city.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Buiten Smedenvest
This part of the Ramparts was named after the Forgers' gate. Seen from the ramparts, the gate does not look very impressive. Yet, it is one of the more historically significant gates of the city. It was built in 1367-1368, facing the general direction of France... from where an invasion was somehow expected. And when, indeed, Louis XIV proposed to invade the city, having been assured the help of Frans van der Straeten, a citizen of the city of Ghent, the catastrophy was avoided in extremis. The man from Ghent was put to death and his head was hung outside the gate. Now, an iron cranium serves as a reminder of the memorable event.
21-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
20-04-2006
Water-mill
A water-mill is milling water Water mills the mill-water Milling water in the water-mill What is milling waters the mill A water-mill is milling water
It might make no sense to you and me, but the miller sings it anyway.
20-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
Peripheral canal
... all around Bruges. We see the tower of the Sint-Sebastiaan's guild, an archery guild, in the Carmerstreet.
20-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
New part of town
When looking at a plan of Bruges, it would be quite logical to think that in this egg-shaped city, covering an area of barely 3,5 by 2,5 kilometers, there isn't a square foot left to be found anywhere to add another building. Not so. Here and there, some parcels of land are still lying empty. The one here, between the Vlamingendam, the Sint-Clarastreet and the Sint-Claralane, is now assiduously being...built up. That, too, is Bruges.
20-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
God's house De Vos
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"God's Houses". This is one of the many aspects so typically proper to Bruges. Affluent burghers of Bruges might have something bothering their conscience. Did they game excessively, did they murder somebody...? In order to maintain their good standing with their Church and affirm their religious belief, they would finance the building of a God's House for the benefit, mostly, of widows. Whatever the reasons of Christiaan De Vos, in 1713 he had these six godshouses built, flanked by the inevitable chapel. It has become one of the great tourist attractions. Every day, without fail, groups of visitors come and take a look at these houses, from across the street. Which is why I find it strange that, during the winter of 2004/2005, one of the inhabitants had been lying dead for several months inside one of these houses before the fact being discovered (to the right of the photo, there are several more such dwellings). It was only when the policeman who was usually in charge of this area, became suspicious. Bizarre.
20-04-2006, 00:00 geschreven door Blog from Bruges
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