Burg

Welcome to the Ber-kh Square, the ancient and historic heart of Bruges. While the nearby Market Square is the center of commerce, the Ber-kh is the cradle of the city's civic and political power. …

Dominating the Southeast side of the square is the grand facade of Bruges’ City Hall, or Stad-house. Built between 1376 and 1420, it is one of the oldest city halls in the Low Countries and served as the architectural model for…

Entering the City Hall and climbing to the first floor, we find the spectacular Gothic Hall. This room, dating from 1402, dazzles visitors with its magnificent timber vaulting and colorful nineteenth-century murals. …

Next to the City Hall stands the Old Civil Registry, or the Owd-e Gre-phee. Completed in 1537, this building offers a stunning contrast to the Gothic stone of its neighbor, showcasing the elegance of the Flemish Renaissance. …

On the East side of the square stands the building of the 'Liberty of Bruges,' or the Vry-uh van Brew-zh. This site was historically the headquarters of the independent magistrates who exercised jurisdiction over the countryside…

Rounding out the architectural diversity of the Ber-kh is the Provost's House, or Proost-house, located on the North side of the square. Built in the late seventeenth century, this building introduces the grand theatricality of…

As you wander the Ber-kh, keep an eye out for the smaller details that add to its fairytale charm. On one of the corners, you will find a gleaming golden Madonna statue tucked into a niche. …

As our exploration of the Ber-kh Square comes to an end, take a final moment to stand in the center of the plaza and look at the centuries of history surrounding you. From its ninth-century roots as a fortress to its current…