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Bruges Town Hall photo by Marc Ryckaert

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Bruges City Hall

The city hall of Bruges, Belgium has been one of the oldest city halls in the entire Netherlands region. It is located on the Burges Square. The area of the former fortified castle in the center of Burges. 

This city hall has been the earliest lated Gothic Monumental- styles municipal council building in Fianders or Brabant. It served as a model for many other town halls.

The Gothic room was created in its present form between 1895 and 1905 after a fire in 1887. Construction components also serve as decoration: medallions in the ‘gewelfsleutels’ with prophets and saints, murals with scenes from the history of Bruges and corbels with seasons and natural elements. In the Historic Room

Here are Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Bruges City Hall

1.The town hall was in 1376 making it the oldest town halls in the low countries

Bruges Town Hall photo by Marc Ryckaert

Bruges city hall which was built between 1376-14o has been one of the oldest in the low countries. It is from here that the city had governed for more than 600 years. The Gothic hall has work of art itself with the splendid 19thcentury mural and colorful vaulted ceiling.

2. Bruges city hall was decorated façade impressive purposely to show wealth and the importance of the city

The City Hall has the earliest late Gothic monumental-style municipal council building in Flanders or Brabant: its flamboyant opulence testifies to the city’s economic and political power at a time

3. The façade of the city hall has been decorated with 48 statues  that have been depicted with biblical figure and rules of Flanders

Bruges, Belgium. photo by RG72

The facade has been  adorned with a large number of statues depicting biblical figures and rules of Flanders. These statues are not the original ones. Those were destroyed in 1792 during the French occupation at the end of the 18th century.

Once the occupation was over, new statues were carved but due to an inferior quality of the materials, they soon had to be replaced. It eventually took till the 80’s of the last century before all statues were renewed.

The facade also shows the coat of arms of subordinate towns. Those coat of arms were also removed during the French occupation and replaced afterwards.

4. Bruges city Hall contains a small museum chamber

The level of the building contains a small museum chamber with some paintings, carved stonework, and old maps. The entrance to the room is opposite of the large windows, on the right side of the stairs.

5. It was the first Monumental structure that served as a town hall in the Low countries

The Burg in Bruges, photo by Donar Reiskoffer

Bruges city hall was housed in a 13thcentury Gothic Building that dominates the Burges square. It was one of the oldest city halls in the entire Netherlands regions, The hall was built in 1376 and 1420 and it was the first monumental structure to serve as a town hall in the Low Countries.

6. The city Hall of Bruges houses the tiny Basilica of the Holy Blood which is worthy to visit

Basilica of the Holy Blood has been hidden in the corner of Burge square . This is another place to see when visiting the Bruges. It housed a relic – cloth containing the Holy Blood of Jesus. The Basilica comprise of wo parts St Basilius Chapel on the ground floor and Holy Blood Chapel and Treasury Upstairs.

Holy Blood Chapel and Treasury room has been the most impressive place. It can be reached via the staircase from the square.

7. There are life-size portraits of former rulers ,Mayors, kings , Emperors and Napoleon in the Bruges City Hall

Emperor Charles (Albert De Vriendt, 19th century); collection: Museums Bruges – Groeninge Museum photo by Albrecht De Vriendt

On the exterior, you will find  statues of the Count of Flanders as well as those of biblical figures. Inside of this unique gothic-style town hall, you’ll come across life-sized portraits of the former rulers of Belgium – mayors, kings, and emperors. You can even spot a portrait of Napoleon.

Upstairs, there is an entire hallway that is a work of art in its own respect. Right below the stunning vaulted ceilings, you’ll see beautiful murals that date back to the 19th century depicting the history of Bruges as well as a vault with 14th-century polychrome consoles.

8. Explore the Brugse Vrije  the Gold building 

 Brugse Vrije has been also knowns as the Liberty of Bruges. It is a huge white and gold building which once functioned as a court of justice . Brugse Vrije has been locatd next to the city hall.

The heavily ornate façade of Brugse Vrije  mostly catches the attention of people the moment they get to Burg square. This is because of the statue of lady justice sparkling in gold on top of the roof.

 when get in the Brugse Vrije you’ll come across a magnificent renaissance hall, which was once the alderman’s chamber. In the hall, you will see a beautiful painting by Gillis Van Tilborch that depicts a session in the courtroom. Also inside is a remarkable 16th-century fireplace designed by Lancelot Blondeel that is made out of oak, marble, and alabaster – a tribute to Emperor Charles V.

9.The Burges City Hall has   housed a stone vault from1766

The Burg in Bruges, photo by Donar Reiskoffer

The stone vault from 1766 which had covered the lower level was at the same time replaced by a quasi-historical timber structure. It has supported by four columns that divide the room into two halves.

10.The building inspired architects of Brussels, Ghent, Ruvin and Odenard, and made a big impact on the city’s gothic municipal buildings

The pioneering stone façade of the oldest part, which during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries was several times extended towards the south. It was  inspired in quick succession the city halls of Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Oudenaarde. 

The building’s admirers highlight the effect of the “Brugian span”, referring to the abundance of repeating systematically positioned niches encompassing the windows, though it is not clear that this effect was invented in Bruges.