ART & MASTERPIECES · ON FOOT
Six centuries,one small city
Bruges holds a staggering amount of art for its size — a van Eyck here, a Michelangelo there — and almost all of it within a ten-minute walk. Here's the circuit, in the order that makes sense on foot.
Two or three museums a day is plenty
You don't need a museum pass and a marathon. Two or three of these in a day is plenty; the point is to stand in front of the real thing, not tick a list.
The Flemish Primitives
Start at the Groeningemuseum. Behind its modest stone doorway is six centuries of Flemish painting, anchored by the luminous early masters — Jan van Eyck among them — who made Bruges a capital of art long before the tourists came.
Michelangelo in Bruges
Under the soaring brick tower of the Church of Our Lady sits Michelangelo's Madonna and Child — the only sculpture by Michelangelo to leave Italy in his lifetime. It's smaller and quieter than you expect, and all the more moving for it.
Memling & the old hospital
A few steps on, the medieval Sint-Janshospitaal keeps a jewel-box of Hans Memling's work in the wards where monks once nursed the sick. Few museums anywhere pair the art and the room this well.
What's new: BRUSK
Bruges' museum quarter has a new anchor: BRUSK, a contemporary art gallery for the city's big changing exhibitions. Worth checking what's on — it's the modern counterweight to all that gold-ground painting.
GOOD TO KNOW
Questions
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The Groeningemuseum, for the Flemish Primitives and van Eyck.
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In the Church of Our Lady — the only Michelangelo sculpture that left Italy in his lifetime.
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Bruges' art gallery for major changing exhibitions, in the museum quarter.
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You can, but two or three museums a day is a better pace.
A SHORT WALK AWAY
Sleep among the masterpieces
Four suites, a short walk from every museum — book direct and save 5%.
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