Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges

Walk around Bruges with a local, explore the historic centre and learn about the glorious past of our medieval city. On this tour, a local private guide will take you on a journey of discovery through the historic heart of the city and show you the highlights of medieval Bruges. He will tell you fascinating stories and ancient legends, and at the same time give you valuable tips on where to go and what to do in present-day Bruges. History and funny stories, legends and interesting facts, highlights and hidden gems — this tour has everything to make your experience of Bruges authentic and unforgettable!

Itinerary

1. We start here with an introduction about the history of Bruges and the role the city played as a trading hub in medieval times. We also go deeper into the troublesome relationship between the city of Bruges and the French king. (10 min)
2. We visit the halls behind the bellfry and explain you the important role the tower has played during the Middle Ages. (10 min)
3. This newly renovated city palace belonged to a wealthy family in Bruges, who held a monopoly on a specific part of the trade. Our guide will tell you all about it. (10 min)
4. We make a stop at the magnificent hospital of St John, one of the oldest still exisitng hospitals in the world and one of the cornerstones of medieval society. (10 min)
5. We'll take you for a walk into the picturesque beguinage, the biggest of its kind in the world, where a community of ladies have lived together for over 800 years. (10 min)
6. By the Lake of Love we tell you the story of why we have swans on the canals of Bruges and how the city got into a conflict with Emperor Maximilian of Austria. (15 min)
7. We stop in front of the brewery to tell you the story of how the people of Bruges got the nickname 'Fools of Bruges' and to show you a piece of the beer pipeline that flows beneath our city. (10 min)
8. We'll tell you the story of this iconic church, which is the 2nd tallest brick tower in the world and houses a statue by Michelangelo as well as the tombs of the last Dukes of Burgundy. (10 min)
9. We venture into the garden of the Groeninge Museum, where some of the works of the biggest Flemish masters are on display. (5 min)
10. We take you to the old Tanner's square, where the smelly business took place of greasing skins and turning them into leather. (10 min)
11. After passing by the old Fishmarket, we end the tour on the Burg square, the political heart and birthplace of the city of Bruges. (15 min)

Meeting & end point