Choco-Story — the Chocolate Museum - Bruges

Groeninge Museum

The Groeninge Museum provides a varied overview of the history of Belgian visual art, with the top-class paintings by the world-renowned Flemish Primitives as the highlight. In this museum you can see, amongst other masterpieces, Madonna with Canon Joris Van der Paele by Jan van Eyck and the Moreel Triptych by Hans Memling. It is one of the most beautiful collections in the world, containing many landmark works from the history of European art. You can also marvel at gems from Renaissance and Baroque masters, Bruges neo-classical canvasses from the 18th and 19th centuries and masterpieces by the Flemish expressionists.

Saint John's Hospital

Saint John’s Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, dating back to the mid 12th century. Visit the medieval wards, as well as the church and the chapel, and marvel at the impressive collection of archives, art works, medical instruments and six paintings by Hans Memling, including the famous Ursula Shrine. Also visit the hospital pharmacy and the Diksmuide attic, boasting one of Europe’s oldest and most monumental roof support structures.

Gruuthuse Museum

After its thorough renovation, the palace of the lords of Gruuthuse now leads you through three crucial periods in Bruges’ history: the Burgundian heyday, the lesser-known 17th and 18th centuries, and the historical ‘reinvention’ of the city in the 19th century. These periods are brought to life through a varied collection of objects, each one telling its own story. Don’t miss out on the authentic medieval prayer chapel, which overlooks the choir of the Church of Our Lady.

Belfry

The most striking tower in Bruges dates back to the 13th century. It is 83 metres high and is protected as a world heritage site. Anyone who climbs all 366 steps will be rewarded with a stunning view over the city and its surroundings. On your way up, you can pause at the treasury, which held the city’s charters, seals and coffers during the Middle Ages. A few steps further on you will see the impressive music drum that operates the carillon and the keyboard used by the city carillonneur to play the tower’s 47 carillon bells. Bruges’ Belfry has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.

City Hall

The monumental City Hall (1376-1421) is one of the oldest in the Low Countries. It is from here that the city has been governed for more than 600 years. An absolute masterpiece is the Gothic Hall, with its impressive vault and 20th century murals depicting the history of Bruges. The adjacent historic hall sheds further light on the governance of Bruges over the centuries, using original documents and paintings. On the ground floor, you are brought face to face with life-size portraits of the city’s rulers and can also learn more about the evolution of the Burg.

Church of Our Lady

The 115.5 metre-high brick church tower, the second tallest of the world, illustrates the craftsmanship of the Bruges builders. Inside you can find a wealth of art treasures, with Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna and Child as the absolute highlight. The rich church interior contains numerous paintings, 13th and 14th century painted crypts and the 15th and 16th century tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold.

Beguinage

The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde' with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life. Today the beguinage is inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried. The Beguinage was recognised as a World Heritage site in 1998.

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Saint Saviour’s Cathedral

The oldest parish church in Bruges (12th-15th century) features a rood loft with an organ, medieval tombs, Brussels tapestries and a rich collection of Flemish paintings (14th-18th century). The treasure-chamber displays, amongst others, paintings by Dieric Bouts, Hugo van der Goes and other Flemish Primitives.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The 12th century Basilica of the Holy Blood consists of a lower and an upper chapel, dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Basil. The lower chapel has preserved its original character and is therefore a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the coastal region. The Neo-Gothic interior of the upper chapel is home to the relic of the Holy Blood and boasts a treasury with numerous valuable works of art. Owing to the special veneration attached to the relic, the church was elevated to the status of a basilica in 1923.

St. Magdalene’s Church

The St. Magdalene’s Church, built in the mid-19th century, was one of the earliest neo-Gothic churches on the European mainland. This style of architecture, first made popular in England, was brought to Bruges by British immigrants. That is how the Neo-Gothic appeared in the streets of Bruges quite early. Inside the church you can make your acquaintance with YOT, an organisation that explores the meaning of the Christian tradition in modern society.

St. Anne’s Church

This simple Gothic single-nave church, built in the 17th century, surprises with the opulence of its rich Baroque interior – the result of donations by wealthy local patrons. Admire the intricacy of the marble rood screen, the rich wooden panelling with inset confessional booths, the canvases of Jan Garemijn and the largest single painting in all Bruges.

St. Giles’s Church

In St. Giles’s Church, the only one in the city centre with a tower clock, many of the great Bruges artists have been buried. These include Hans Memling, Lanceloot Blondeel and Pieter Pourbus. The church originally dates from the 13th century, but was extensively rebuilt in the 15th century. The exterior is a fine example of the robust Brick Gothic style, while the interior has a more refined 19th-century Neo-Gothic look.

St. James’s Church

In the second quarter of the 13th century, the modest St. James’s Chapel was elevated to the status of a parish church. During the 15th century, this simple house of prayer was extended to its current size. The church is now famous for its rich collection of art treasures, donated by wealthy local people living nearby, and for its fine examples of funerary art.

St. Walburga's Church

In 1619, a Bruges lay brother, Pieter Huyssens, was commissioned to build a prestigious church that expressed the values and beliefs of the Jesuits. The result was the St. Walburga’s Church, which is the most richly decorated church in pure Baroque style in Bruges. Admire its dynamic facade, its many interior architectural details and the elaborately decorated church furniture.

Concertgebouw Circuit

An original experience trail takes you on an expedition through the modern Concert Hall. Learn how the concert hall works, be impressed by its famous acoustics, marvel at its contemporary art collection or perhaps even get started with a little sound art yourself! The children can collect stamps by completing tasks during a playful kid’s trail. The icing on the cake is the rooftop terrace on the seventh floor with a breathtaking panoramic view over the city.

Bladelin Court

Pieter Bladelin, treasurer of the Order of the Golden Fleece, ordered the construction of this city palace in 1435. Before the end of the 15th century, a subsidiary of the Florentine Medici Bank was already housed here. The stone medallion portraits of Lorenzo de’ Medici and his wife, which are among the first Renaissance works of art in Bruges, decorate the atmospheric inner courtyard. Reverend Leon de Foere established his lace school here at the beginning of the 19th century and expanded the domain by adding a chapel in the Classical style. He also had paintings (late 16th/early 17th century), replicas from the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican, hung in one of the halls.

Sacred Books | Secret Libraries

The religious residents of the English Convent and the Carmelite Convent invite you to explore their buildings and their traditional way of life. The English Convent is known for its unique domed church, whereas the Carmelite Convent has an impressive refectory. Together with a guide, you will embark on a serene and spiritual journey, with books as the silver thread. At the end of the morning tour, you get to meet one of the monks or nuns.

Adornes Estate & Jerusalem Chapel

The Adornes domain consists of the mansion of the rich Adornes family of merchants. The 15th-century Jerusalem Chapel (built by this family) and a series of adjacent almshouses. In the multimedia museum, you step back in time to explore the life of Anselm Adornes and the Burgundian world in which he lived. Also enjoy a pleasant break in the elegant and familial atmosphere of the Scottish Lounge.

Lace Centre

The Lace Centre has been housed in the renovated old lace school of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The story of Bruges lace is told in the lace museum on the ground floor. Multimedia installations and testimonies from international lace experts help to explain the various different types of lace and their geographical origin, and focus on the lace industry and lace education in Bruges. Demonstrations (2pm–5pm, not on Sunday) and various courses are organised in the lace workshop on the second floor.

Brewery De Halve Maan

Brewery De Halve Maan in the centre of Bruges is a family business with a tradition stretching back through six generations to 1856. This is where the Bruges city beer — the Brugse Zot — is brewed: a strong-tasting, high-fermentation beer based on malt, hops and special yeast. In 2016 a unique underground beer pipeline, some 3 km long, was laid from the brewery to the bottling plant in the suburbs. Guided tours and beer tastings is are offered.

Bruges Beer Experience

Discover in an interactive way everything you ever wanted to know about the raw ingredients of beer, the brewing process, food pairing, beer in Bruges, trappist and abbey beers, etc. Children follow the Kids Tour, which tells the story of the Bruges bear. Would you just like to sample some beers? The bar and its 16 different kinds of beer is open to everyone and has a great view over the Market Square.

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Choco-Story — the Chocolate Museum

The museum dips its visitors in the history of cocoa and chocolate. From the Maya and the Spanish conquistadores to the chocolate connoisseurs of today. A chocolate hunt gives children the chance to discover the museum. Chocolates are made by hand and sampled on the premises. A 5-minute walk brings you to Vlamingstraat 31, where you will find the Choco-Jungle Bar, which is also part of the museum.

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Bruges Diamond Museum

Did you know that diamond-cutting was first invented in Bruges more than 500 years ago? This is just one of the many aspects of the history of the diamond that you will learn about in the Bruges Diamond Museum. You will discover even more secrets during the daily diamond-cutting demonstrations, which show you how the gems are cut.

Belgian Fries Museum

This didactic museum sketches the history of the potato, belgian fries and the various sauces and dressings that accompany this most delicious and most famous of Belgian comestibles. The museum is housed in Saaihalle, one of Bruges’ most attractive buildings.

Historium Bruges

In the Historium, you quite literally step back in time. In different ways you will be able to learn about the vibrant city of Bruges during the Golden Century. Historium Story tells the love story of Jan van Eyck’s apprentice, Jacob. After that, you can discover more about Bruges in the Middle Ages in the Historium Exhibition. Historium Virtual Reality takes you back to the year 1435, allowing you to sail virtually into the old city port, where you will fly past the Water Halls and the Saint Donatian’s Church, both of which have long since disappeared. The Historium Tower takes you up the 30-metre high Neo-Gothic tower for a stunning view over the Markt.

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Lumina Domestica Lamp Museum

Lumina Domestica lamp museum contains the world’s largest collection of lamps and lights. More than 6,000 antiques tell the complete story of interior lighting, from the torch and paraffin lamp to the light bulb and LED. The small detour into the world of luminous animals and plants is particularly interesting. In this way you can discover, for example, the light mysteries of the glow-worm, the lantern fish and the small Chinese lantern.

Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvador Dalí

In the Cloth Halls, you can admire a fantastic collection of world-famous graphics and statues by the great artist Salvador Dalí. They are all authentic works of art that are described in the Catalogues Raisonnés, which details Salvador Dalí’s oeuvre. The collection is presented in a sensational Daliesque decor of mirrors, gold and shocking pink.

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Choco-Story — the Chocolate Museum

Useful Information

From USD 15

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Groeninge Museum

Saint John's Hospital

Gruuthuse Museum

Belfry

City Hall

Church of Our Lady

Beguinage

Saint Saviour’s Cathedral

Basilica of the Holy Blood

St. Magdalene’s Church

St. Anne’s Church

St. Giles’s Church

St. James’s Church

St. Walburga's Church

Concertgebouw Circuit

Bladelin Court

Sacred Books | Secret Libraries

Adornes Estate & Jerusalem Chapel

Lace Centre

Brewery De Halve Maan

Bruges Beer Experience

Choco-Story — the Chocolate Museum

Bruges Diamond Museum

Belgian Fries Museum

Historium Bruges

Lumina Domestica Lamp Museum

Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvador Dalí

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