Belgium, country of northwestern Europe. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch. Initially, Belgium had a unitary form of government.

Modern Belgium is interesting to many travelers. This is largely due to medieval castles and squares, which were fortunate enough to survive to this day. When asking yourself what to see in Belgium, do not forget about the Belfry Palace and the Gall Tower. The Belgians consider the date of their construction to be 1040, and the square in Bruges became their location. The tower is visible from everywhere, compositionally it dominates the square.

The Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a medieval bell tower in the historical center of Bruges. One of the city’s most prominent symbols: the belfry formerly housed a treasury and the municipal archives, and served as an observation post for spotting fires and other danger. A narrow, steep staircase of 366 steps, accessible by the public for an entry fee, leads to the top of the 83-meter-high building, which leans about a meter to the east.

The Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady with its 122-metre brick steeple, dominates the skyline of the city. It is quite literally the ‘high spot’ of the stonemason’s art in medieval Bruges. It took two centuries (13th-15th) to build the church. Among the many art treasures is a beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. Although there are many different adaptations of the Madonna and child, whether it is a painting or sculpture, it represents the very core of Christianity. It represents the Virgin Mary and son Jesus together. The most famous of all is the Michelangelo sculpture made of marble called “Madonna of Bruges”. The rich history behind this sculpture is fascinating.

St. Saviour’s Cathedral

St. Saviour’s Cathedral is Bruges’ oldest parish church (12th-15th century). Worth seeing are the goblins, the choir, rood loft with organ (1619–1717), choir stalls and numerous fine paintings. Cathedral Museum: old paintings and retables, brass tomb plates and reliquaries. The oldest traces of the cathedral of Saint Saviour in Bruges bring us back to the 10th century.

Work started on Bruges’ oldest parish church in the 10th century but after being destroyed by fire, rebuilt and alterations and additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries, it displays a mixture of styles. The main parts of the church are built in so-called Gothic of the Schelde style of the 14th century.

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