Grote Markt

As in any ancient city, in the center of Bruges is the Grote Markt market square. This is one of the most important places, it is actively visited by tourists from different countries. Part of the old city is freed from traffic, even tourist buses do not go here. Everything is as it was here centuries ago.

Fairs are held on the Grote Markt, and in winter there is a skating rink for everyone. In addition to tourists, the square was chosen by musicians, singers, cartoonists and other representatives of street art. Many walk here in interesting costumes and offer to take pictures as a memento of visiting the city.

The square itself is an interesting and ancient place, and around it are the most significant historical sites of the city.

The Belfort Tower is one of the oldest buildings in the city, at first it was wooden, but there was a fire and all the valuable archives that it kept disappeared in the place with the tower. The tower was rebuilt, this time it was made of stone. From its top it is very convenient to observe the city and admire its beautiful views. At the top there is a bell tower, today it consists of 47 bells, together they weigh almost 3 tons. Every hour their melodic ringing is carried around the square. Guests of the city can visit the tower, usually for this you have to stand in a long line, and then climb the steep steps to a small observation deck. But all efforts are not in vain - the view is really worth it.

The Governor's Residence is another notable and very interesting building on the north side of the Grote Markt. The building is made in the Neo-Gothic style, it is quite common in Bruges. This is the current administration of the city and you can enter it only if some kind of exhibition or concert is being held. In the 12th century there were warehouses on this site, a little later they were replaced by buildings in the classical style, which burned down in the 19th century, during the reconstruction the current residence appeared.

Cloth rows or houses of guild members also attract attention with their unusual and bright appearance. Not surprisingly, the houses of the various guild members lined up in close proximity along the city's main market square. Each house has a guild crest on it, they are all painted in different colors, and the stepped roofs add to their fabulous look.

Monument to the heroes of the liberators - two leaders stand on a pedestal, one led the weavers, the second the butchers, and together they fought for the country's independence from France, events unfolded at the beginning of the 14th century, and the monument was placed on the square at the end in 1887 .

Dob Bushut is the first residential building located in close proximity to the Grote Markt. It was built here in the 15th century and today is one of the monuments of culture and architecture of the city of Bruges.

The main market square of Bruges is a must-see place, every tourist must visit it.