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Apotheek
Next to the Museum St Janshospitaal is a restored 17th-century Apotheek, which originally belonged to the hospital. You're free to wander in after visiting the museum.
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Begijnhof
Surrounded by protective walls, these whitewashed cottages - clustered around a central garden carpeted by daffodils in springtime - have an air of tranquil purity. Established as homes for a Catholic order of single and widowed women, there were around 1500 of these begijnhoven (or beguinages ) in Belgium in the early 20th century, but only 22 remain. Dating from the 13th century, this is one of the best preserved, and home today to Benedictine nuns. The tiny on-site 't Begijnhuisje museum gives you an insight into a typical cottage. Afterwards, prolong the serenity with a stroll in the swan-filled Minnewater park nearby.
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Brugse Vrije
An immense 16th-century chimneypiece draws visitors to the Renaissancezaal (Renaissance Hall). This hall was the alderman's room of the palace of the Liberty of Bruges, a medieval administrative body. Completed in 1531, the chimney's upper section is a detailed oak carving depicting Emperor Charles V alongside an entourage of relatives; black marble and an alabaster frieze adorn the lower part. All in all it's pretty impressive, even without the men's overblown medieval codpieces.
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Craenenburg Café
Notable at Markt 16 is Craenenburg Café. In this building the Hapsburg heir Maximilian of Austria was imprisoned by the leaders of the city in 1488 after attempting to restrict their privileges. When Maximilian later became emperor, he took revenge by directing trade to Antwerp.
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Provinciaal Hof
The Markt's eastern side is dominated by the Provinciaal Hof, a neogothic building home to the post office and a handy ATM.
Showing 1-5 of 5 results
