Page 122 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

120  BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG REGION B Y REGION

Exploring Eastern Bruges
Visitors pour into Bruges during the summer, crowding
the city centre. Despite this, the narrow cobbled streets
and picturesque canals to the east of the Markt remain free
of throngs, and this fascinating area continues to be one
of the most delightful parts of Bruges. Its avenues of
picturesque terraced houses are dotted with grand and
elegant 18th-century mansions. The best approach to this
quarter is via Jan van Eyckplein, which in medieval times was The Museum voor Volkskunde, part of a row
the site of the busy canal-side tollhouse. A short stroll along of 17th-century almshouses
the Spinolarei and Potterierei streets leads to the handful E Volkskundemuseum
of intriguing churches and museums in this historic district. Balstraat 43. Tel (050) 448764.
Open 9:30am–5pm Tue–Sun,
Easter & Whit Mon. & 7
in Jerusalem. The structure ∑ museabrugge.be
pos sesses a strik ing tower One of the best folk muse ums in
with two tiers of wooden, Flanders, the Volkskundemuseum
poly gon-shaped lan terns, occupies an attractive terrace of
topped by a tin orb. The low brick almshouses located
present building dates from the behind an old neighbourhood
15th century, when it was café called the Zwarte Kat, or
commis sioned by Anselmus Black Cat, which serves as the
Adornes and his spouse, ent rance. Each house is dedi-
members of a rich Italian cated to a different aspect of
merchant family, whose black traditional Flemish life, with
Traditional bobbin-lace techniques marble tomb can be seen workshops displaying old tools
demonstrated at the Kantcentrum inside the church. and other relevant arti facts.
Inside the Jeruzalemkerk, Several different crafts, such
P Kantcentrum the lower level contains a as cobbling and black smithing,
Balstraat 16. Tel (050) 330072. macabre altar piece, carved are rep resented here, along
Open Apr–Sep: 9:30am–5pm daily; with skulls in imitation of with a series of typical historical
Oct–Mar: 9:30am–5pm Mon–Sat. & Golgotha, the site of Christ’s domestic and shop interiors.
= ∑ kantcentrum.eu crucifixion. Behind the altar is
Lace-making skills are kept a smaller vaulted chapel E Guido Gezellemuseum
alive at the Kantcentrum, the leading to a narrow tunnel Rolweg 64. Tel (050) 448711.
Lace Centre. This neighbourhood that is guarded by an iron Open 9:30am–12:30pm &
is one of several where, in the grate. In the tunnel, a life like 1:30–5pm Tue–Sun. & 7
past, the city’s lace workers model of Christ in the Tomb ∑ museabrugge.be
plied their craft. Most of the can be seen at close quarters. The eldest of five child ren, the
lace makers were women. They great Flemish poet Guido
worked at home, receiving raw Gezelle was born and
mate rials from a supplier who raised in a little red-brick
also bought the finished product. house that is now a
The Kantcentrum also includes museum. With the help of
an exhibition of his toric lace, a series of furnished rooms,
and demonstra tions on lace- it evokes the modest
making are held for visitors circum stances of his
every summer after noon. upbringing – his father was
Finished pieces are sold in the a gardener and his mother’s
Kantcentrum shop. The experts family were farmers.
here can advise whether lace Insights into Gezelle’s work
bought elsewhere is genuinely and life are offered through
handmade or not. the museum’s exhibits of
books and docu ments. The
R Jeruzalemkerk charm of the build ing and
Peperstraat 1. Open 10am–5pm of the gar den outside
Mon–Sat. & ref lect the char acter of the
One of Bruges’s most unusual man, his piety and his love
churches, the Jeruzalemkerk for nature, which evolved
is based on the design of the during the course of his
Church of the Holy Sepulchre The distinctive tower of the Jeruzalemkerk childhood spent here.
For hotels and restaurants see pp266–7 and pp283–4

120-121_EW_Belgium.indd 120 18/10/16 3:01 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm