Museum sights in Bruges
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Groeningemuseum
Bruges' prized collection of art dating from the 14th to the 20th century is housed in the small Groeningemuseum. Highlights of this prized collection of art dating from the 14th to the 20th century are the Flemish Primitives (Room 2), including masterpieces by Jan Van Eyck and Hans Memling. But also look out for works by Hieronymus Bosch (Room 1), and surrealists René Magritte and Paul Delvaux (Room 9).
Room 1, entitled Municipal Patronage, concentrates on works from the 15th and 16th centuries, many of which were commissioned by the city of Bruges. The gruesome Judgement of Cambyses (1498) by Gerard David depicts the Persian king being led from his throne and flayed a…
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Kantcentrum
Watch lace-makers at work at the Kantcentrum. Lace (kant in Flemish, dentelle in French) blossomed in Flanders in the 16th century. Naaldkant (needlepoint lace), which developed in Italy, was predominantly made in Brussels while kloskant (bobbin lace) is believed to have originated in Bruges. The latter requires thousands of painstaking and meticulous movements of bobbins and pins. Each lace-maker had her own patterns, which stayed in the family and were handed down through generations.
The Kantcentrum is best known for its bobbin lace-making demonstrations - informal gatherings of 20 or so women who congregate (afternoons only) in a small room at the rear of the complex.…
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Museum St Janshospitaal
The prestigious Museum St Janshospitaal is housed in a restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital. It's home to six masterpieces by Hans Memling, plus many works by lesser-known painters of that time. Memling is noted for the fine quality of the figures in his religious paintings, such as the central panel of the Mystic Marriage of St Catherine triptych (1479) that's presented here.
Perhaps more enchanting is the reliquary of St Ursula. Shaped like a miniature wooden Gothic church, the reliquary's six painted panels depict the medieval tale of the beautiful St Ursula and the 11,000 virgins who were massacred by the Huns in Germany while returning from a pilgrimage to Rome…
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Guido Gezellemuseum
Flanders' best-known poet is celebrated at the Guido Gezellemuseum. Gezelle became a cult figure among Flemish freethinkers in the early 20th century. He was born in 1830 in this house, which belonged to a noble family - his father was the gardener and Gezelle lived here until age 16, when he left to study at Roeselare (between Bruges and Kortrijk). The museum contains books and documents recalling his life and works, such as The Evening and the Rose, sold at reception.
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Diamantmuseum
The slick Diamantmuseum reveals Bruges' medieval role as the first diamond-polishing centre. It's home to the world's two smallest diamond sculptures - tiny profiles of the former King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, each no more than 3mm in diameter. Even with the aid of a magnifying glass, it takes a sizable imagination to pick the resemblance. Diamond-polishing demonstrations are held at 12:15, and cost an extra around €3.
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St Janshuismolen
In the 13th century, Bruges' great walls were dotted with molens (windmills) where cereals were ground into flour. Four still stand on the eastern rampart and two can be visited: the 18th-century St Janshuismolen is one, the nearby Koeleweimolen is another. The sails are occasionally set in motion, and each houses a tiny museum.
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Gruuthuse
Applied and decorative arts are the themes of the Gruuthuse. The museum takes its name from the flower and herb mixture - the gruut - traditionally used for brewing beer. Most of the exhibits are labelled in Flemish only. Still, it's well worth spending some time here for the superb local tapestries, furniture and sculptures.
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Koeleweimolen
In the 13th century, Bruges' great walls were dotted with molens (windmills) where cereals were ground into flour. Four still stand on the eastern rampart and two can be visited: Koeleweimolen is one, the 18th-century St Janshuismolen is another. The sails are occasionally set in motion, and each houses a tiny museum.
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Museum voor Volkskunde
The Museum voor Volkskunde occupies a row of restored godshuizen (almshouses). Exhibits include an old Flemish kitchen, a hatter's shop and a 1930s-style snoepwinkel (sweet shop). One room has been converted into a café - De Zwarte Kat - serving drinks and snacks.
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Choco-Story
Devoted to all things dark and delicious, Choco-Story is definitely Belgium's best chocolate museum. Wander past exhibits detailing everything from cocoa-growing to the virtues of hot chocolate, before sampling pralines made as you watch.
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Memlingmuseum
Home to masterpieces by Hans Memling (1440-94) and other painters from his time, the museum occupies the restored 12th century St Janshospital. The small collection is wonderful, especially the St Ursula Shrine.
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Gotische Zaal
The gothic hall's polychromatic ceiling almost drips with medieval carvings, and murals depicting the town's history add to the room's magnificence. Pick up an audio-guide before setting off.
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Paul Delvaux Museum
In St Idesbald on the Belgian coast, this superb museum occupies the house and studio of Paul Delvaux (1897-1994), one of Belgium's most famous surrealist artists.
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't Begijnhuisje
Just inside the main entrance of the begijnhof is 't Begijnhuisje, a typical house that is now a tiny museum.
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