CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY
C/O COL GKS REDDY
Visit Belgium (20 Sep - 22 Sep 2013)
Belgium
Belgium (
Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers (about 59%), mostly Flemish, and the French-speakers (about 41%), mostly Walloons, in addition to a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.
Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. The region was called Belgica in Latin because of the Roman province Gallia Belgica which covered more or less the same area. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian Revolution in 1830, when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the "Battlefield of Europe,"[10] a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.
Upon its independence, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number ofcolonies in Africa.] The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of contrasts between the Flemish and the Francophones fuelled by differences of language and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia. This continuing antagonism has caused far-reaching reforms, changing the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state, and several governmental crises, the most recent, from 2007 to 2011, being the longest.
After four days tour of Paris FROM 07 Sep to 10 Sep 2013, we thought it would be better to combine the tour of 2 or 3 European countries, to save time and travel expenses, hence we planned a combined tour of 10 days duration to Belgium, Holland and Switzerland from 20 Sep to 29 Sep 2013.
We started from St Francas International Railway Station by Eurostar at 0730 h on 20 Sep 2013 and reached Brusseles Midi / Zuid International Railway Station at 1100 h. From Brusseles International Midi / Zuid, Station we shifted to the Domestic Section and took a train to Bruges (Local name - Brugge), which was about one hour Journey. Reached Bruges at 1215 h.
On Arrival at Brusseles International Midi / Zuid Railway Station
On Arrrival at Brugge (Bruges) Railway Station
Outside Bruges Railway Station
Visit Bruges (20 Sep 2013)
Bruges (/ˈbruːʒ/ in English; Dutch: Brugge, [ˈbrʏʝə], French: Bruges, [ˈbʁyːʒ], German: Brügge, [ˈbrʏɡə]) is the capital and largest city of theprovince of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country.
The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares, including 1,075 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge (meaning "Brugge aan Zee" or "Bruges on Sea). The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is oval-shaped and about 430 hectaresin size. The city's total population is 117,073 (1 January 2008), of which around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 (238 sq mi) and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008.
Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port. At one time, it was the "chief commercial city" of the world.
Since, the Hotel where we are to stay is only 3/4 KM away from the Railway Station, we decided to walk down to our Hotel Room.
A cobbled Street of Bruges, Enroute from Railway Station to the Hotel
A Bridge over Ancient Canal Transportation System of Bruges
Main Entrance to the Novotel Hotel Complex, Bruges
Beautiful Flower Bed in the Courtyard of Novotel Hotel
At the Entrance of Novotel Hotel
Our Lady's Church (Brugge)
When approaching Bruges, one can already see from afar the highest tower in the city, the tower of Our Lady's Church. Although this church is not the most important one on the religious level (St Salvator's church is) it certainly attracts most visitors because of its medieval character and the important works of art that can be admired here.
A view of My Lady's Church from a side
A Frontal View of My Lady's Church
A view of My Lady's Church, taken from the Boat, while touring the Town by Canal System
Typical Architecture of Residential Houses in Brugge. The Number of Steps
on either side of the Roof indicate the Relative Affluence or otherwise of the Owner
The Brangwyn Museum - Bruges
The Arents House or Brangwyn Museum is a fine, late-18th-century townhouse located opposite the coach-house at the entrance to a picturesque garden.The coach-house contains old carriages and sledges. The ground floor of the Arents House is home to the Lace Museum, with its extensive and varied collection of old needlepoint, bobbin and mixed lace.
Most of the exhibits were produced at Flemish lace-making centres like Bruges, Mechelen (Malines) and Brussels, but foreign lace from places like France and Venice also features in the collection. A series of fascinating paintings illustrates the use of lace as a costume decoration over the years.
The first floor of the building is given over to the work of Frank Brangwyn (1867-1956), a versatile artist of British nationality, but born in Bruges. His Art Nouveau and Art Deco carpets, pottery and furniture are grouped thematically, as are his engravings, watercolours, drawings and painting
A view of Brangwyn Museum, Brugge, which contains the Art works of
Frank Brangwyn and Local Lace works
Gruuthuse Museum - Bruges
A royal welcome awaits you at this opulent city palace of the lords of Gruuthuse. The museum contains all manner of objects that shed light on everyday life between the 15th and 19th centuries. One of the major attractions is the Hall of Honour with its tapestries, impressive fireplace and richly decorated rafters, all witnessing the wealth and affluence of the lords of Gruuthuse.
A view of Gruuthuse Museum Brugge contains the most diverse Exhibits like
Sculptures, Furniture, Silverware, Metalware, Ceramics and Textiles
Simon stevin
Simon Stevin (1548 – 1620) was a Flemish mathematician and military engineer. He was active in a great many areas of science and engineering, both theoretical and practical. He also translated various mathematical terms into Dutch, making it one of the few European languages in which the word for mathematics, wiskunde (wis + kunde i.e. "the art of what is certain"), was not derived from Greek (via Latin).
Statue of Simon Stevin, Just outside the Bruges Market Square
A close up of the Inscription on the Pedestal of the Statue
Bruges Market Square
The Markt ("Market Square") of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the Provincial Court (originally the Waterhall, which in 1787 was demolished and replaced by a classicist building that from 1850 served as provincial court and after a fire in 1878 was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style in 1887. In the center of the market stands the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck.
In 1995 the market was completely renovated. Parking in the square was removed and the area became mostly traffic-free, thus being more celebration friendly. The renovated market was reopened in 1996 with a concert by Helmut Lotti.
A view of Hotel Craenenburg at Market Square,
representing Typical German Architecture
A typical view of shops in the Market Square (Side View)
A frontal view of the shops in Market Square
The Provincial Court Building in white (In Centre), a Heritage Building in
Market Square, bounded by
The Main Post Office in Brown colour on the Right and The Historium on the Left
The belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a medieval bell tower in the historical centre of Bruges, Belgium. 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-metre-high building, which leans about a metre to the east.
To the sides and back of the tower stands the former market hall, a rectangular building only 44 m broad but 84 m deep, with an inner courtyard. The belfry, accordingly, is also known as the Halletoren (tower of the halls).
A view of the Bellfry, the most famous Icon of the Bruges Market Square
Note:- The information about the places visited has been Extracted from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
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