Kent and I took a train trip to Brugge, Belgium.
We drove with Jim, the night before, and stayed
in Aalst. Jim had to attend meetings in Ghent.
Kent and I went exploring....
Waiting for the train to arrive in Aalst.
Alongside the tracks were very nice
looking old, red brick buildings.
It was very cold the entire day, below freezing.
We waited for our train in this small, enclosed
area with benches. I decided it was more helpful
for a wet or snowy, windy day because it did
nothing to help keep us warmer as we waited.
This is a quick photo of the train conducter.
He made me think of the conducter in the movie
"Polar Express" with his official jacket and cap
that he wore. He wasn't as creative of a ticket
puncher as Tom Hanks was, but all of them
were really nice when they did check tickets!
After a 40 minute ride, with several stops, and seeing
a variety of things outside our window like houses,
cities, farms, canals, etc. we arrived in Brugge, Belgium.
A cool neighborhood to walk in.
Our first visit was the Minnewater and park area.
In Dutch the word "Minne" means love.
The Minnewater is a canalized lake.
Here is one house next to the lake.
Another beautiful home.
Another interesting row of buildings next to the lake.
Very small homes in this area as well.
These buildings are part of a woman's monestary
that was first built in 1245.
The monestary is still occuppied today.
It was founded by the Countess of Flanders.
Margaretha of Constantinopel, the Countess, was
the daughter to Count Baldwin who conquered
Constantinopel, now Istambul, during the crusades.
Next to Minnewater and the Monestary, called
Beguinage of Bruges, was De Wijingaard-the vineyard.
This is a group of homes around a garden with many
Poplar trees growing. I noticed they all leaned a
certain way, I guess we know which way the wind
usually blows in this garden, or maybe they are
always seeking some sunlight....
With all Brugges many canals it has the nickname of
"The Venice of the North." Despite Brugges many
canals this city came by it's canals differently than
Venice. Islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic Sea
is where Venice began it's history. As for Brugge the
North Sea, for many decades, flowed inland and
created little canal fingers filled with water. At one
time ships moved through these canals for commercial
purposes. This is no longer possible now. Small
tourist boats are the main things floating through
the many canals for visitors to enjoy Brugge.
It was too cold of a day for Kent and I to be
interested in such an excursion!
This building had multipal colored bricks
that are hard to see here. The windows are
framed so well with the dark color.
One of my favorite views in the city!
Our Lady church.
Besides the tomstones of Mary of Burgundy and her
father Charles the Bold, the church building houses
another significant historical piece....
" Madonna and Child"
by Michelangelo
This is one of the few pieces, created by the
famous artist, that are outside of the country of Italy.
Main chapel view.
One of Brugge's beautiful cathedral's,
under renovation.
An eye catching way to sell jeans...
Walking the streets of Brugge...
Another enjoyable street to walk.
More hustle and bustle on this particular street.
Brugge's very beautiful Market Square.
The Belfry Tower is the dominate feature of
the square, it's height is 272 feet.
Towers had many uses besides ringing the bell
for the time of day. The bell was also rung to
call people together for special meetings, for warnings,
for danger, etc. It was also used to house the cities
very important documents.
Gotta like the front of this charming little store front.
Walking over a canal on one of the many, many bridges.
Such charming architecture.
Here is the cities Jerusalem church which has
most of it's original style preserved. Apparently
quite the feat for Belgium. This church is still
privately owned by the family who's ancestry
came from Genoa in Italy about the 13th century.
Just so CUTE.
Brugge's second main square for
the adminstrative buildings.
Amazing looking!
St. Salvator Cathedral
I just love, LOVE walking down these
very cute, quaint streets.
In centuries past wealthy citizens would build
simple, small homes for those in need due to
health, loss of a job or some other unfortunate
circumstance. The houses were called Godshuizen-
meaning Houses of God.
This is a cute little Bed and Breakfast place.
Talk about remembering to duck!
I'm thinking the Belguimites were
not overly tall people...
A VERY sweet litte village we enjoyed visiting!
