The last stop for Ivo and me on our whirlwind tour of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium was the fairytale city of Bruges. Despite being one of the largest cities in Belgium, it feels like a tiny, whimsical village. Sunshine sparkles through rows of trees and onto fields of grass thick with yellow dandelions. Alleys of crystal clear water lazily feed into lakes and ponds so still they can mirror the shingles on each reflected house.
The iconic Belfry of Bruges has been around since the 13th century, and still stands 366 steps tall despite having faced three separate fires. The climb was worth the view of the city. Its spires, cobblestones, trees and chimneys made for a beautiful overlook.
The 14th century City Hall also looks more like a miniature Disneyland palace than a stodgy government building. The sea of spiraled cobblestones out front only add to the scene.
Bruges is not all cheerful pixie dust though. What makes the city such a delight is that it has several dark twists to its history and design as well. At a yellow brick tower, a green skull has been nailed above the door-- if I recall correctly, it is meant to serve as a reminder of the plague.
The city's quirks and sense of mystique also extend into the relics of the churches, many of which contain various body parts of saints. The winner by far though is the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century chapel renovated to the Gothic style in the 16th and 19th centuries. Though it can't compete in terms of size, the inside is incredibly ornate and--hold your breath--they totally have a vial with a piece of cloth allegedly smeared with the blood of Jesus.
Staying in this city was easily the most relaxing of all our travels. Although Paris has an infinite amount to offer, I have to admit there was just something special about Bruges. It sort of awakens that childish part of yourself that indulges in the simplest kind of magic. Swans, castles, vine-covered towers, cobblestone bridges over glittering water, and just a pinch of dark magic and mystery-- especially with its ability to inspire reflection, Bruges was the perfect way to end our travels in Europe.
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