CHAPPIDI ABHIRATH REDDY
C/O COL GKS REDDY
Visit Belgium (20 Sep - 22 Sep 2013)
Belgium
Belgium (
i/ˈbɛldʒəm/; Dutch: België; French: Belgique; German: Belgien), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy inWestern Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi), and it has a population of about 11 million people.
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 to Bruges Town - (Contd)
Jan Breydel & Peter de Coninck
Jan Breydel (born in Bruges in the 13th century) is credited with leading the Bruges Matins (Brugse Metten), a violent uprising against Philip the Fair.
Breydel, who was by trade a butcher, led the Bruges Matins together with Pieter de Coninck, a weaver, in May 1302. About three weeks before, on 1 May that year, they had partaken in an attack on the castle of Male and the complete annihilation of the French garrison there. The city archives of Bruges show that Jan Breydel was present from 8 July until 10 July 1302, in Kortrijk, as a supplier of meat for the troops. On the basis of this record, it is generally accepted that he had fought on 11 July 1302 in the Battle of the Golden Spurs.
In 1308, he helped to disengage Willem of Saeftinghe, who had fought on the same side at Kortrijk six years earlier, from the church of Lissewege where Willem had barricaded himself during an uprising.
In 1309, Breydel, together with Pieter de Coninck and Jan Heem, again led an uprising in Bruges, aimed against the Treaty of Athis-sur-Orge (1305) forced upon Flanders by the French; he killed the substitute of the Count of Flanders the same year.
Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck have often been portrayed as patriotic heroes in Belgium because of their passion for Flemish identity. Belgian nationalists (like the historian Henri Pirenne) used to claim they and the actions of their militia prevented Belgium from becoming an integral part of France early on. Flemish nationalists credit them with ensuring the survival of the Dutch language in the northern part of Belgium. Jan Breydel himself always regretted that the retrieval of Flemish autonomy meant giving up the French-speaking but culturally Flemish town of Lille, which was later reconquered by the Burgundians, but lost for good as a result of Louis XIV's annexation wars. The statue Jan Breydel shares with Pieter de Coninck has decorated the Market Place in Bruges ever since 1887.
The Statues of Jan Breydel & Peter de Coninck, considered as National Heroes of Belgium
at Market Square
A closeup of the Inscription on the Pedestal of the Statues
The Historium (Bruges)
Experience the magic of the Middle Ages. Travel back in time to the golden age of Bruges. Historium is an all-encompassing attraction where sets, film, music and special effects merge into a 35 minutes magical experience. Throughout the 7 thematic rooms, your senses will be stimulated. Let yourself be carried away by an exciting love story. What was it like to live during the Middle Ages? In Bruges around the fifteenth century? These were the golden ages. The city was big and powerful. The centre of the world, pivoting around the busy harbour. With Jan Van Eyck who was already the most famous painter in Europe. Historium brings you all the way back to Bruges in 1435. You can experience these golden ages as if you were there. It's more than just seeing and hearing. You'll step into the past where you will smell, feel and taste the past. It is a sensory and exciting experience with the theme of a compelling love story. Start your visit to Bruges here. Historium is your rendezvous with history.
A view of the Historium Building. The Light and Sound Show inside is worth seeing
Another view of Historium with the complete Tower
A close view of the Entrance to the Historium at Bruges Market Square
A view of Bruges Main Post Office at Market Square
A closer view of the Main Post Office
Bruges is a city with two town squares. The largest one is the Market, the commercial heart of medieval Bruges. The second square is called the 'Burg'. Here was, and still is, the heart of the administrative Bruges.
One of the most beautiful buildings of Bruges can be seen here : the gothic town hall from 1376. It was one of the first monumental town halls in the Low Countries. In the front facade are six gothic windows.
The Burg square is really a showcase of different European architectural styles. Next to the gothic town hall stands the Old Civil Registry in renaissance style. (1534-1537). The bronze statues represent Justice, Moses and Aaron. Since 1883 the building is used as Peace Court. On its left side is another building in another style: the former Court of Justice in neo-classicist style. (1722-1727).
Then, finally, tucked away in the corner of the square, next to the town hall, is the Basilius church and the Chapel of the Holy Blood.
A view of Bruges Town Hall located in Burg Square
A view of the Beautiful Civil Registry Building in Burg Square
A view of Burg Square with the Bell Tower in the Background. Blood Chapel is seen in the left corner
and Bishop's Palace on the Right Side
He was born in Bruges in the province of West Flanders, where he also spent most of his life. He was ordained a priest in 1854, and worked as a teacher and priest in Roeselare. He was always interested in all things in English and was given the prestigious right of being the priest for the 'English Convent' in Bruges. He died there in a small room, where it is still forbidden to enter.
He was the son of Monica Devrieze and Pieter Jan Gezelle, a Flemish gardener in Bruges. Gezelle was the uncle of Flemish writer Stijn Streuvels(Frank Lateur).
He tried to develop an independent Flemish language, more or less separated from the general Dutch language, which had certain more "Hollandic" aspects. The Dutch he used in his poems was heavily influenced by the local West Flemish dialect. His works are often inspired by his mystic love towards God and Creation.
Statue of Guido Gezelle at Bruges
The Groeninge Museum offers a varied overview of the history of Belgian plastic arts. Although the Flemish Primitives are a high point, you will also marvel at top 18th and 19th-century neoclassical pieces, masterpieces from Flemish Expressionism and post-war modern art.
A view of Entry Gate to Groeninge Museum
A view of Groeninge Museum Building
The Sint-Salvator Cathedral, the main church of the city, is one of the few buildings in Bruges that have survived the onslaught of the ages without damage. Nevertheless, it has undergone some changes and renovations. This church was not originally built to be a cathedral; it was granted the status in the 19th century. Since the 10th century the Sint-Salvator was a common parish church. At that time the St Donatian's Cathedral, which was located at the very heart of Bruges, opposite of the town hall, was the central religious building of the city. At the end of the 18th century the French occupiers of Bruges threw out the bishop of Bruges and destroyed the Sint - Donatius Church, which was his residence.
A view of St Salvator's Cathedral at Bruges
Another view of St Salvator's Cathedral
Because of its canals Bruges is often called 'The Venice of the North'. The water situation in both cities was, however, very different. Venice was founded on islands in a lagoon of the Adriatic sea. Bruges lies deeper inland. In the Middle-Ages, the waterways to Bruges had to be regularly adapted and enlarged to allow large trade ships to reach the city.
All through the golden era of Bruges the rivers and canals were constantly dredged. Inside the city, the 'Reie' river had been turned into a network of canals that enabled the traders to bring their products to the large Water Halls at the Market. Inside the Water Halls the goods were stored or sold directly. The Water Halls do not exist anymore now.
Nowadays no commercial ships sail on the Bruges 'reien' (=canals) anymore. The canals are now exclusively used for tourist boats. There are five families that are allowed to organize tourist excursions by open boats on the canals. Each family has 4 boats.
One of the canals of Bruges
The Large Canals with Residential Houses on their Banks
Another view of the canals with houses on their Banks
A large Canal with Wide Roads on either side and Residential Houses Astride the Roads
A view of the Road Astride the Canal
A Canal with a wide Road on one side and Houses on the other side
Note:- The information about the places visited has been Extracted from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
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