THE BRUGES ROUND - STOP BY STOP
HOLE 2 - PAR 3
Eiermarkt
Look at the open space and the buildings that frame it. I can show you Eiermarkt, which is a square in the city. It is a spot where you can pause and get your bearings among the local streets.
HOLE 4 - PAR 2
Belfort
You might think this is a cathedral, but it is actually the Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower in the centre of Bruges, Belgium. Built in the Brabantine Gothic style, the tower served as an observation post for spotting fires and other dangers. Today, it is a museum and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I've always found the tilt interesting; the Belfort is an inclined tower. It is a great spot to get your bearings in the city.
HOLE 5 - PAR 3
Frietmuseum
Step inside this food museum in Bruges, Belgium, where the focus is entirely on the potato. The Frietmuseum is devoted to the history of potatoes and the production of Belgian fries. It is a unique spot that describes itself as the first and only museum dedicated to potato fries. I've found that most visitors appreciate the specialized focus here, especially since the museum's inception in 2008. Whether you are a history buff or just hungry, it's a great way to see how a simple vegetable became a national staple.
HOLE 6 - PAR 3
Groeningemuseum
Let me show you the Groeningemuseum. This municipal art museum in Bruges, Belgium, occupies a spot of historical importance, as it was built on the site of the medieval Eekhout Abbey. Founded in 1929, it is a key destination for anyone visiting the city to experience its local art collections. You can pick out the blend of the city's municipal pride and its deep medieval roots just by standing where the abbey once stood. I've noticed the building has a very steady presence in the neighborhood.
HOLE 7 - PAR 3
Choco-Story
The sixteenth-century Huis de Crone building on Sint-Jansplein in central Bruges is the home of Choco-Story. This chocolate museum is housed in a structure with a varied history. Before it became a museum, the building was originally the home of a wine tavern. Over time, it also housed a bakery and most recently a furniture making shop. I always find it funny how the scents of the building must have shifted from wine to bread to sawdust, and finally to chocolate.
HOLE 8 - PAR 3
Simon Stevinplein
You will first notice that Simon Stevinplein functions as both a square and a street. This dual nature makes it a unique point of interest for anyone walking through the city, as it blends the openness of a plaza with the linear flow of a thoroughfare. Whether you are looking for the wide feel of a square or the direction of a street, this location provides both for the visitor. I find it a pleasant place to pause and look around before continuing your journey through the neighborhood. It is a simple but distinct part of the local layout that you should appreciate.
HOLE 9 - PAR 4
Begijnhof Ten Wijngaerde
Canon Hoornaert founded the convent for Benedictines here in 1927. This site, known as Begijnhof Ten Wijngaerde, is an abbey and a beguinage. It is the only preserved beguinage in Bruges, Belgium, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1927, it has functioned as a convent for Benedictines. You can also find the Monasterium De Wijngaard here, which is a priory of Benedictine nuns. This priory was created in 1927 when houses on the west side were reshaped and enlarged. I've always found the layout of these old courtyards quite relaxing.
HOLE 10 - PAR 3
Stadhuis Brugge
You will find Stadhuis Brugge located on Burg Square in West Flanders, Belgium. This museum is the seat of the city and is recognized as a World Heritage Site. The building is designed in the Gothic architecture style, specifically a late-Gothic monumental style, and was built between 1376 and 1421. It had its inception in 1377. I always find the scale of the facade impressive when I'm flying over the square, and the details of the stonework are something you can really pick out from the street level.
HOLE 11 - PAR 4
Gentpoort
Look closely at the heavy stonework of Gentpoort. This structure is a gate that also functions as a museum, allowing you to explore its history from the inside. It is officially recognized as a beschermd monument, which ensures that its physical characteristics are preserved for everyone to see. Whether you are interested in military history or just admire old fortifications, this spot is a key part of the city's edge. I always find the scale of the masonry here quite impressive when compared to the smaller houses nearby.
HOLE 12 - PAR 3
Kruispoort
You will first notice the imposing structure of Kruispoort, which is a city gate. This landmark is a key point of entry into the city and remains a prominent piece of the local architecture. The gate was designed by architects Jan van Oudenaerde and Maarten van Leuven. I always find the scale of these old fortifications impressive when compared to the modern streets around them, and it is a great spot to pause and look at the masonry. It is a wonderful example of how the city once managed its borders and arrivals.
HOLE 13 - PAR 2
Jeruzalemkerk
Situated within the city of Brugge, Jeruzalemkerk is a church building. This structure is built in the Gothic architecture style, which is evident in its design and form. In addition to its architectural significance, Jeruzalemkerk is officially designated as a beschermd monument. Visitors to the area can observe the specific characteristics of the Gothic style used in the construction of this church building, making it a notable site for those interested in the city's protected monuments.
HOLE 15 - PAR 3
Sint-Jacobskerk
You will first notice the interior of Sint-Jacobskerk, which was remodeled in its present Baroque style in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This Catholic church in Bruges, Belgium, is a religious building with a long history. It was originally built around 1240 and underwent an expansion in 1459. The church was patronized by the Duke of Burgundy. It remains a significant site for those visiting the city's religious architecture, offering a look at how the building changed across different eras of construction and design.
HOLE 17 - PAR 3
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal is a cathedral, museum, and church building. It is the Roman Catholic cathedral of Bruges, Belgium, and had its inception in 1275. This site is officially a beschermd monument. Visitors to the cathedral can note that the building is dedicated to the Verrezen Zaligmaker and Saint-Donatius of Reims. It remains a central point of interest for those visiting the city's religious sites and museums.
HOLE 18 - PAR 3
Smedenpoort
You can pick out the sturdy architecture of Smedenpoort as you move through the city. This structure is a city gate and is officially recognized as a beschermd monument. It is a great spot to stop and look at the old fortifications that once guarded the entrances to the town. I find the stonework here particularly interesting to look at while resting my wings. It is one of those landmarks that helps you understand how the city was enclosed and protected in the past, making it a necessary stop for any visitor.
STOP 19
Concertgebouw
Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem are the architects behind the Concertgebouw. This building is a concert hall and theatre building that operates as a cultural centre in Bruges, Belgium. You can find it located at 't Zand. The project was completed in 2002, which is the same year that Bruges was European Capital of Culture. Robbrecht & Daem are credited as the architects of the site. I've seen a lot of fancy roofs from the air, but the lines on this one are especially sharp, providing a great spot for a bird to get a view of the square.