- Address: Markt, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Phone: +32 50 44 46 46
- Foundation date: 10th century
- Sightseeing: Beffroy, Boukhout, a monument to Peter de Connnick and Jan Breidel
Bruges is a small but very beautiful city, often called a mini-Venice. There are many canals and bridges, on each street there are ancient buildings with shaped spiers, and bells on medieval towers every hour publish various tunes.
What is on the Groote Markt square?
The extensive quadrangular area of the Grote Markt (Grote Markt) is the visiting card of the city and translated as "market square". It is considered to be the starting point for all sightseeing excursions . Here are the delightful old architectural buildings of different eras.
One of the main buildings on the square is a high tower, called Baffroy (Belfort). Its height is 83 meters, and in order to get to the top where the gallery is located, it is necessary to overcome 366 steps. Those who cope with the task and rise to the top will be impressed by the breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Bruges and the surrounding area.
The market was located on the southern part of the square, and on the east a boat dock was built, the so-called Waterhalle, which lasted until the end of the eighteenth century. Here small ships were loaded and unloaded. To date, this part of Grote Markt is the Provincial Court, which is a complex of buildings. The latter in 1850 was bought by the administration of Bruges, it was expanded and repaired. True, in 1878 the building destroyed a fire, and it was restored in 1887 in the Neo-Gothic style, which we can still observe today.
The oldest building on the Groote-Markt square is located in the western part and is called Bouchout (Boughout). The building is located on the street Sint-Amandsstraat, its stained-glass windows were made in the fifteenth century, and the weathercock on the facade dates back to 1682.
What else is the square famous for?
In the heart of the Grote Markt square there is a sculptural composition dedicated to the national heroes of the country - weaver Peter de Coninck and Jan Breyde. In 1302, they were able to provide stubborn resistance and win the battle with the French king under Kurtre. The monument is a sculpture on a monument with four towers, symbolizing the provinces: Ypres, Kortrijk , Ghent and Bruges. Because of disagreements between the Bremen Bremen trade union and the French-speaking city government, the grand opening ceremony took place in 1887 two times - in July and August.
Grote Markt covers an area of about one hectare. Here, since 1995, local authorities have imposed a parking ban in the morning. And in the beginning of December a big Christmas market is working on the square and a large open-air ice rink is being filled. By the way, if you come with your skates, then you will be skated for free. Arrange here and entertaining programs. This is a favorite place for recreation, both with local residents and numerous tourists. In the warm season on the market square you can relax on carved benches, go through souvenir shops, sit in various restaurants and street cafes. The menu here is made up in six languages, and the prices are quite democratic.
How to get to the Grote Markt?
Since Grote Markt is located in the city center, all roads lead here. You can get on the bus with numbers 2, 3, 12, 14, 90, the stop will be called Brugge Markt. You can also come here on foot or take a taxi.
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