Page 109 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

BRUGES  107

of the gates, the Kruispoort,
a monumental structure
dating from 1402 that guards
the eastern approach to the
city. The earthen bank stretch­
ing north of the Kruispoort
marks the line of the old city
wall, which was once dotted
with some 20 windmills. Today,
only four remain overlooking
the canal. The first, the Bonne
Chieremolen, was brought
here from a Flanders village 17th-century almshouses comprising the Volkskundemuseum
in 1911, but the second –
St Janshuismolen – is original Flanders. It occupies an which represented the interests
to the city, a restored structure attractive terrace of low, brick of a particular group of skilled
erected in 1770. The northern­ almshouses located behind an workmen. The guilds guarded
most mill of the four is De old neighbour­hood café called their privileges jealously
Nieuwe Papegai, an old the “Zwarte Kat” (Black Cat), and, among many rules and
oil mill that was relocated which serves as the entrance. customs, marriage between
here in 1970. Each of the almshouses is child ren whose fathers were
dedicated to a different aspect in different guilds was greatly
of traditional Flemish life, with frowned upon. The guild
workshops displaying old tools. claimed the name St Sebastian
Several different crafts are after an early Christian martyr,
repre sented here, such as a whom the Roman Emperor
cobbler’s and a blacksmith’s, Diocletian had executed by his
through to a series of typical archers. The bowmen followed
historical domestic interiors. orders – medieval painters
often show Sebastian looking
P Schuttersgilde St like a pin cushion – but
Sebastiaan miraculously, Sebastian’s
The massive Kruispoort, one of the four Carmersstraat 174. Map C2. Tel (050) wounds healed before he was
remaining medieval gates 33 1626. Open May–Sep: 10am–noon finished off by club­wielding
Tue–Thu, 2–5pm Sat; Oct–Apr: 2–5pm assassins. The guildhouse is
R English Convent Tue–Thu & Sat. & notable for its collec tion of
Carmersstraat 85. Map C2. Tel (050) 33 The Archers’ guild (the paintings of the guild’s leading
2424. Open 2–3:30pm & 4:30–5:30pm Schuttersgilde) was one of lights, gold and silver trinkets
Mon–Thu & Sat; Mass 8:30am Sun. the most powerful of the militia and guild emblems.
8 obligatory. guilds, and their 16th­ and
The English Convent was where 17th­century red­brick guild­ E Museum Onze-Lieve-
many English Catholics sought house now houses a museum. Vrouw-ter-Potterie
asylum following the execution The commercial life of Potterierei 79. Map B1. Tel (050) 44
of Charles I in 1649, and during medieval Bruges was domi­ 8711. Open 9:30am–12:30pm, 1:30–
Oliver Cromwell’s subsequent nated by the guilds, each of 5pm Tue–Sun, Easter & Whit Mon. &
rule as Lord Protector. The Located by the canal in one
conventual buildings are not of the quietest parts of Bruges,
open to the public, but the the Museum Onze Lieve Vrouw
nuns provide a well­informed ter Potterie (Our Lady of Pottery)
tour of their beautiful church, occupies part of an old hospital
built in the Baroque style in that was founded in 1276 to
the 1620s. The interior has a care for elderly women. There
delightful sense of space, its is a 14th­ and 15th­century
elegant proportions enhanced cloister, and several of the
by its cupola, but the highlight sick rooms house a modest
is the altar, a grand affair made collection of paint ings, the
of around 20 types of marble. best of which are some 17th­
and 18th­century portraits
E Volkskundemuseum of leading aristocrats. The
Balstraat 43. Map B2–C2. Tel (050) 44 hospital church is in excellent
8764. Open 9:30am–5pm Tue–Sun, condition, too; it is a warm,
Easter & Whit Mon. & intimate place with fine stained­
The Volkskundemuseum is one The St Sebastiaan guildhouse, glass win dows and a set of
of the best folk muse ums in now a museum impressive Baroque altarpieces.

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