Introduction to Wheelchair Accessible Bruges

Welcome to Bruges, Belgium, a captivating and picturesque metropolis often called the “Venice of the North” on account of its enchanting canals and medieval structure. Bask in scrumptious Belgian goodies, discover the numerous museums and church buildings, and savor conventional dishes like Belgian waffles within the vibrant Markt sq.. Whereas Bruges’ accessibility infrastructure is restricted, efforts have been made to enhance entry at main points of interest and a few eating places. With a little bit of planning, you may benefit from the magic of Bruges, whether or not you’re a historical past fanatic, a foodie, or just in search of a fairytale-like expertise on this fascinating vacation spot.

My journey to Bruges was an impromptu one which lasted solely a few days, that means I wasn’t in a position to expertise each one of many metropolis’s extremely rated vacationer points of interest. This information is restricted in that regard, nonetheless it would offer you a enough understanding of what accessibility in Bruges seems like and the way, with some planning, wheelchair customers can journey to this historic Belgian metropolis, totally take part in its most revered actions and traditions, and make reminiscences with household and associates.

St. Saviour’s Cathedral

St Saviour’s Cathedral, or St. Salvator’s Cathedral, is the oldest parish church in Bruges. Whereas the parish dates to the ninth century, the current cathedral was constructed starting within the thirteenth century. Initially constructed as a easy parish church, it was elevated to cathedral standing in 1834, changing into the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bruges.

The cathedral’s gothic structure and huge bell tower dominate town skyline, and its inside is equally mesmerizing. Massive tapestries made in Brussels through the 1700s hold excessive above the altar, whereas ornate aspect altars encircle the size of the cathedral’s inside. Colourful stained glass home windows are additionally an attraction, together with masterpieces by Flemish artists together with Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, Lanceloot Blondeel and Pieter Pourbus.

Barrier-free wheelchair entry to the cathedral is feasible through a sloped pathway. To realize a preview of the inside, a digital tour is obtainable on the Cathedral web site, which additionally offers further data on the church’s historical past, artworks, and a schedule of occasions together with Mass instances for many who have a good time.

Museum of the Church of Our Woman

The Gothic-style Church of Our Woman in Bruges was constructed largely between 1270-1280, nonetheless additions have been made within the 14th and fifteenth centuries. Its tower, which reaches a top of 379 toes, is the third tallest brickwork tower on this planet. The church is an architectural delight, much more in order the parish seems ahead to celebrating a 750th anniversary.

Inside, the Museum of the Church of Our Woman, offers guests entry to a treasure trove of artwork and sculpture. The piece that pulls vacationers from all around the globe is Michelangelo’s Madonna and Little one (1501-1504), which was commissioned by rich retailers in Bruges and now resides on the Church of Our Woman. Twice the sculpture was stolen from Bruges, first through the French Revolutionary Warfare in 1794, and second throughout World Warfare II in 1944. The sculpture gained wider acclaim after the 2014 movie Monuments Males informed the story of the sculptures restoration from Hitler and the Nazis in an Austrian salt mine. Right here’s a clip of the scene by which the Madonna was discovered:

Wheelchair entry is feasible through the museum’s entrance on Guido Gezelleplein road. Wheelchair customers may have entry not solely to the Madonna and Little one, but in addition to a big assortment of artworks and the tombs of Charles the Daring and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy and the “Mom of the Habsburg Dynasty.” For extra data or to plan your go to, see the museum web site.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood, situated alongside Bruges Metropolis Corridor, was accomplished in 1157 and is residence to a relic of the Blood of Christ, allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea (the person who the 4 canonical gospels say buried Jesus) and delivered to Bruges from the Holy Land greater than a thousand years later by Thierry of Alsace, a crusader and the fifteenth Rely of Flanders.

The Treasured Blood relic is commemorated to today within the basilica, and options annually in a procession on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, held on the Thursday following the Sixth Sunday of Easter based on the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The church, practically a millennium outdated, is open to the general public. On the decrease degree, vacationers can go to the St. Basil Chapel, which was accomplished in 1149 and is among the greatest preserved church buildings within the Romanesque fashion of the area.

Throughout my go to, I used to be informed that the higher church was not accessible, nonetheless Go to Bruges writes that “In case you want to go to the higher chapel and treasury, place a name on the elevate and speak into the speaker. Some manoeuvring is required with a purpose to enter and exit the elevate. The double door to the higher chapel may be very heavy. There are slim, however accessible passageways on the higher ground. There’s loads of room to manoeuvre within the halls. The exhibited materials within the treasure chamber is tough to see if you’re in a wheelchair.” Maybe then, the elevator was merely out of service on the day of my go to.

Bruges Metropolis Corridor

Situated on Burg Sq. on the middle of Bruges, the Metropolis Corridor constructing was constructed in a late-Gothic Monumental fashion between 1376 and 1421. The constructing underwent a considerable renovation that was accomplished in 1905, and a few accessibility enhancements have been made since.

The constructing is definitely accessible to wheelchair customers, and all guests ought to make a degree to see the Gothic Corridor, the assembly place of the Bruges Metropolis Council, that options vaulted ceilings and wall work. The Historic Corridor can be value a go to, because it offers perception into town’s growth and historical past as an financial middle for the area. The free audio information affords context you received’t discover wherever else.

King Albert I Park

Named in honor of the king who dominated Belgium from 1909 till his loss of life in 1934, King Albert I Park is situated on the positioning of town’s former railway depot. When the practice station was moved to its current location, a parkland was fashioned, providing guests a peaceable and serene escape close to town middle.

The park underwent main renovations in 2022 and options easy, wheelchair accessible pathways that lead by way of the great inexperienced house bordered by canals. It’s a welcome diversion from the cobblestone streets of central Bruges.

Lake of Love and Fort de la Faille

On the coronary heart of Minnewater Park guests will discover the Lake of Love, an oblong lake that shimmers beneath daylight and serves as a spot of magnificence and retreat. Identified to be a romantic spot, guests will incessantly spot {couples} picnicking or strolling by way of the park. Native legend states that {couples} who stroll over the lake bridge collectively will expertise everlasting love.

The bridge (Minnewaterbrug) crosses the lake subsequent to the historic Gunpowder Tower (a ravishing sight!). The park is wheelchair-friendly, with each paved and unpaved accessible pathways all through. Situated throughout the lake is the Fort de la Faille, a historic and guarded constructing that was constructed within the Nineties. In the present day, the fort is owned by town council and homes a small espresso store and cafe that’s open to the general public.

Bruges is a metropolis with a wealthy historic heritage that rose to prominence through the Center Ages, and it has modified little previously 500 years. The town’s streets and sidewalks have been constructed largely with cobblestone, which naturally current obstacles for wheelchair customers. On condition that the historic metropolis middle is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Website, extremely accessible fashionable infrastructure is unlikely to take priority over historic preservation.

Whereas the overwhelming majority of town is paved with cobblestones, the pavements have worn over the centuries, and a lot of the pavements have been made easy. Whereas I’m nonetheless not in a position to drive my energy wheelchair at its most velocity (as I want to), the worn cobbles make it simpler (and extra snug!) to navigate town as a wheelchair person. Geographically, town is sort of solely flat, which additional will increase its accessibility.

Streets and sidewalks in Bruges nonetheless rating poorly in my accessibility metric as a result of there isn’t a reprieve from the cobblestones — they’re discovered in all places, and regardless of their smoothing, they don’t evaluate in any respect with the fashionable cement sidewalks of many different European cities.

Bruges is a historic and walkable metropolis, the place automobiles really feel misplaced. There isn’t any subway system, and town bus community consists of simply two traces working inside historic Brugge.

Wheelchair Accessible Metropolis Bus in Bruges, Belgium

Metropolis bus Line 1 connects town middle through a loop across the district of Sint-Kruis and a loop to the hospital campus AZ Sint-Jan. Line 2 operates on a steady loop across the metropolis middle, stopping at ’t Zand, St. Salvator’s Cathedral, the Church of Our Woman, Dijver, the Municipal Theater, and the statue of Jan Van Eyckplein.

Most buses are accessible with a ramp and kneeling operate, together with an area onboard for wheelchairs. The price of a ticket is €2,50, which is legitimate for 60 minutes. Throughout my time in Bruges, I explored virtually the entire metropolis middle and didn’t require a metropolis bus trip or wheelchair taxi.

Intercity Trains from Bruges to Belgium and Europe

Brugge Railway Station is situated about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from Metropolis Corridor, which is situated on the center of the historic metropolis middle. Each native and intercity trains operated by the Nationwide Railway Firm of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS) service Brugge station, and repair is obtainable to the next stations with out making a connection:

• Antwerpen
• Brussels
• Brussels Airport
• Dendermonde
• Eupen
• Genk
• Ghent
• Knokke/Blankenberge
• Kortrijk
• Leuven
• Liege
• Mechelen
• Ostend
• Roeselare
• Sint-Niklaas
• Zeebrugge
• Zottegem

Trains are wheelchair accessible through a ramp, nonetheless the Belgian rail firm insists on advance reservations. In case you fail to request wheelchair help a minimum of 24 hours prematurely, you might not be capable of journey and could possibly be left behind with no recourse. Help requests should be made through the Belgian Trains web site, and registration for a web based account is required. Previous to reserving help, you have to to know the exact practice service on which you’ll be touring.

On the day of journey, it is very important arrive on the station a minimum of 10 minutes earlier than scheduled departure to attach with an help crew member.

I solely spent two nights in Brugge and solely stayed in a single finances resort — the Ibis Brugge Centrum, which I’ve detailed beneath. Be aware that there could also be different accommodations within the metropolis that supply wheelchair accessible lodging, nonetheless I’ve not reviewed them.

Ibis Brugge Centrum

Situated about half a mile (1 kilometer) from each the Brugge practice station and the Bruges Metropolis Corridor, the Ibis Brugge Centrum is an inexpensive wheelchair accessible resort that may be a excellent residence base from which to discover the historic metropolis.

My room was small and compact, however featured a double mattress that was accessible on the left aspect (the best aspect of the mattress was pressed in opposition to a wall). Energy retailers on the adjoining desk allowed me to cost my smartphone and electrical wheelchair in a single day.

Toilet accessibility was good, with a roll-under sink, a roll-in bathe with a built-in seat and seize bars, and a bathroom with a single folding seize bar. Whereas there are some things that I’d change, this Ibis resort matched my expectations — the Accor Inns model is one which I can belief to supply a minimum of the minimal degree of accessibility that I want, and it’s why I’ve said that Accor Inns are profitable the accessibility race.

To analysis room charges or to make a reservation, go to the Accor Inns web site.

When you have visited Bruges or stayed at any of the accommodations highlighted on this journey information, please share your expertise with accessibility within the feedback beneath!