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Square · Bruges, Flandres Ocidental
Burg
Square next to the Markt where Bruges was born, with the Gothic town hall, the former Brugse Vrije courthouse and the Basílica do Sangue Sagrado at one corner.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Burg
The Burg occupies the site of the old castle of the Counts of Flanders, the origin of the city. There political and religious power in Bruges was concentrated for centuries, while the Markt, next door, handled commerce.
The most striking building is the Stadhuis, the Gothic town hall built between the late 14th and early 15th centuries, with a façade covered in statues of counts and countesses. It is one of the oldest town hall buildings in the historic Low Countries and remains in use by the city.
Next to it are the Brugse Vrije building, the former seat of justice for the territory around Bruges, and, in a corner of the square, the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, the two‑chapel basilica that houses the relic of the Sangue Sagrado.
An arched passage beside the town hall, the Blinde-Ezelstraat, leads from the Burg to the fish market and the canals, a direct route to the Rozenhoedkaai quay.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half an hour for the square; an hour or more if you go into the town hall and the basilica.
Best time
In the morning, before tour groups arrive, or at night when the town hall façade is lit up.
How to get there
A few minutes' walk from the Markt via Breidelstraat. From Brugge station, about a 25-minute walk.
Tip
Follow the arched passage of Blinde-Ezelstraat, next to the town hall, and in a few steps you'll be at the canal's edge.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Burg
What is there to see in the Burg?
The Gothic town hall, the former Brugse Vrije court, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, as well as façades from several centuries around the square.
Is the Burg far from the Markt?
No. The two squares are only a few minutes’ walk from each other.