One of my favorite places in all of Europe is the historic and charming town of Bruges. With cobblestone streets, a maze of canals, and a bell tower in the city center that has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, Bruges serves as the capital of West Flanders in Belgium. In and around the central portion of the old town, you’ll find old stone bridges spanning these quiet canals and that connect two areas together. I’ve had the good fortunate of visiting Bruges several times, and strolling in the early morning or later evening hours when the tourists have disappeared is one of my favorite things to do. When the air is cool and the backstreets are quiet, whispers from Bruges' past seem to drift in the wind under soft street lights. and this is when the canals and bridges are at their most lovely and mysterious. Here are some of my favorites from my wanderings.
Rozenhoedkaai
Rozenhoedkaai means “Rosary Quay” in Dutch. This famous location is Bruges’ most photographed area, and when you stand on the rock wall overlooking the intersection of the Dijver and Groenerei canals, you'll be taken back in time.
On a cool summer morning before the tourists were milling about, the sky turned blue and soft clouds drifted overhead. From Rozenhoedkaai (also known as the Rosary Quay), the most photograhed canal in Bruges, Belgium, this panorama shows the historic architecture and smooth water of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dating back to the medieval ages, scaffolding was likely set up along the rock walls of these canals and used for loading and unloading supplies from the salt traders. In the 1800s, stalls were set up along the water for the sale of rosaries (thus, the name). Today, it is one of the most frequented canals, and a beautiful spot to linger in the early morning or at sunset.
On an early June morning at the Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai), the clouds briefly lit up over this historic site. As part of Bruges' UNESCO World Heritiage area, this canal is one of the most photographed in the city. In the distance, the Belfry of Bruges rises above the town and dates back to the 1200s.
Groenerei
Just around the bend from Rozenhoedkaai, the Groenerei (canal) seems a world away, but with a quiet beauty all its own. Two of my favorite bridges are just blocks apart, and both provide serene views in both directions:
Meebrug is the closest bridge to Rozenhoedkaai where Meestraat crosses Groenerei. Here is a familiar pigeon watching me one morning with Meebrug in the distance.
Another photograph from one of my favorite bridges in Bruges shows these curious pigeons. As I slowly walked alongside this canal's walls, these two birds hopped along the stone barrier, I assume wanting some breakfast.
Meebrug is also one of the oldest bridges in Bruges and was constructed by Jan van Oudenaerde in 1390. Stand on the bridge and take in the medieval architecture. Notice the reflections of those buildings in the calm water. Though this is a beautiful place, you can sometimes have this bridge all to yourself, especially in the soft glow of morning or evening light. This photograph was taken from Meebrug at sunrise.
This is the sunrise view from Meebrug to Peerdenbrug (bridge). The water was still and the clouds draped in orange light as the day began in Bruges, often referred to as Venice of the North.
Peerdenbrug is just a stone’s throw down the canal from Meebrug, and it was also built around the same time as its neighbor. First mentioned in 1392 as a wooden bridge that spanned the water, it was rebuilt in 1431 (reason not known), and along with Meebrug, it has connected the historic city center with the “suburbs” ever since.
The Belfry peeks its top over the distant buildings in the center of Bruges, Belgium. Looking down this canal near Peerdenbrug, this water was clam and I loved the flowers along the walls.
At sunrise, shooting eastward towards Peerdenbrug from Meebrug or the side of the canal, the skies can look simply gorgeous, as can the reflections in the water. At night, facing northeast, there is also a nice view of Peerdenbrug after dark with a streetlight illuminating the bridge and water.
Late one evening while strolling near the historic city center of Bruges - just a few minutes walk from the famous Rozenhoedkaai Canal, I found this quiet spot at Peerdenbrug (Peerdenbridge). I needed a long exposure to allow enough light to fill the image, but the water was like glass and the winds calm.
Spiegelrei
Another area I enjoy photographing is Spiegelrei (Spiegel = mirror), a nice canal about 500m north/northeast from Peedenbrug (about a 6-7 minute walk). Spanning the canal is the double bascule and nondescript Koningsbrug (King’s Bridge), built in 1929. What makes this location special is the amazing view it offers of Jan van Eyck Square.
Van Eyck Square, seen here on a cool morning, is a pleasant area to explore in historic Bruges. Usually a quiet part of town, I enjoyed my time here in the mornings and evenings.
When the water is calm, it creates a perfect mirror for the square’s buildings to be reflected in the water. And as with many of the bridges and rock barriers of the canals, in the springtime flowers grow (some wild, some cared for by human hands) to add color to the tranquil scenes.
Potted flowers lined portions of the Spiegelrei (canal) on this calm summer morning in Bruges, Belgium. In the distance, Jan van Eyck square. On the right just past the bridge in the distance is the historic landmark, Tolhuis (the toll house) that, in the middle ages, served as a toll collection point for ships coming into the canal for international trading.
Here is another from the King's Bridge at night.
The Spiegelrei (canal) is known in Bruges as a beautiful area to take in an evening stroll. In the distance, the Jan van Eyck Square makes for a nice place to take in the views. This image was taken from Koningstraat that shows an area that was once one of Europe's largest trading hubs of the Middle Ages. It was built between 1395-1417.
In the distance, a statue of Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter (1390-1441) sits in the square named after him. Van Eyck was one most revered Early Northern Renaissance artists.
Augustijnenbrug
Conntinuing north another 350m, you’ll find the Augustinjenbrug, the Augustinian Bridge that crosses the Speelmansrei and the Augustinjenrei (where the canals change names, apparently!) This bridge was built in 1391 by the Bruges master mason Jan van Oudenaerde. This mason was contracted by the Augustinian monks to construct a bridge that allowed them to cross the canal and make their way to the city to sell their goods.
The Augustijnenrei (canal) was excavated in the 1100s, and it is along this waterway the beautiful Augustijnenbrug (Augustinian Bridge) rests. The bridge was built in 1391 by the Bruges master mason Jan van Oudenaerde. Contracted by the monks who resided in the monastery on the waters edge, the mason designed the bridge to connect the monastery to the city center. This is also home to the legend about the golden hand and an eel fisherman (you'll have to look that up but if you take a night-time tour of Bruges, ask your guide!)
An old legend involving a golden hand and an unlucky eel-fisherman revolves around this bridge, but you’ll have to look up that information for yourself!
I hope you enjoyed the short descriptions of these charming bridges. So many bridges exist in this town and it is impossible to cover all of them here. So get out there – walk, explore, and enjoy the history and architecture. And if I can answer any questions about photographing this area, I’m happy to help.
Safe travels, everyone.
Sunrise rises across a canal near the city center of Bruges, Belgium. Seen here from Meerbrug, this area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and worth exploring in the early morning before the crowds arrive.
