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After packing and breakfast, we left the ship behind in Antwerp and drove off in our coach, bound for Bruges. By freeway, it was a 90 minute trip through farmland to this popular tourist destination.
Bruges is sought out by tourists because it was at one time incredibly wealthy but, subsequently, slipped into obscurity. As a backwater town for centuries, the lack of development meant that many of its oldest buildings were preserved. The cause of its decline from its peak (in the 12th-15th centuries) was simple: the gradual loss of its harbor by silting made trade by sea impossible. Not until the late 19th century did prosperity return when tourists began to discover the town, and a new harbor was built.
It would have been rewarding to have had at least a full day to explore the narrow cobble streets, flower-lined canals and antique buildings. However, we had only a few hours, including lunch. After a tour first by land and then by motor launch, we savored the chance to explore on our own.
In the center of this photo, the prominent tower is the Belfry in the heart of the city at Market Square:
Most of the bell tower has stood since 1300 but the octagonal top was added in 1486.
Rides on these motor launches must be highly profitable. Everyone seems to ride them:
Afterwards, some folks explore on foot ...
... and others take a different sort of ride:
Never did we get the notion that we were the only tourists in town:
Bruges also has a massive Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame):
Built in the 13th - 15th centuries, its spire ascends nearly 400 feet.
Among the art treasures inside the church is a Michelangelo marble, “Madonna and Child,” that has been in the church since 1506, just two years after it was created.
It was the only one of Michelangelo’s works to leave Italy in his lifetime and remains one of the few that can be seen outside Italy today.
Despite being packed like sardines into these little boats, getting “close up and personal” to some really old structures makes the motor launches worthwhile:
All too soon, our visit ended. We were hustled back to our coaches and were soon hurtling along to Brussels, our overnight destination.