Let's begin our journey with the most recognizable symbol of Bruges - the majestic Belfry Tower. This Gothic structure, rising to a height of 83 meters, was built in the 13th century and served as the city's watchtower, treasury and prison. Today, after climbing 366 steep stairs, one can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city from its top. The tower is not just a tourist attraction - it is a symbol of Bruges' former power and independence, and its bells have regulated the rhythm of the residents' lives for centuries. Inside it is the mechanism of 47 bells, which still play melodies over the city. Interestingly, the tower tilts almost a meter to the east, making it the Flemish 'cousin' of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Belfry tower overlooks the bustling Market Square (Grote Markt), the city's central square, surrounded by colorful townhouses with distinctive stepped gables. This vast market square has been the commercial and administrative center of Bruges since the Middle Ages. It was here that the most important city events, fairs and public executions took place. Today the square impresses with its architecture, and at its center is a monument to two national heroes - Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, who led the Flemish uprising against the French in 1302. During the holiday season, the square turns into a fairy-tale Christmas market with an ice rink, and in the summer it becomes the site of numerous festivals and concerts.

Just a few minutes' walk from the Grote Markt is the equally impressive De Burg Square - the true center of power in medieval Bruges. It was here in the 9th century that Count Baldwin I of Flanders built the first fortress, giving rise to the city. Today the square impresses with its variety of architectural styles - from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance. The most impressive building is the Gothic town hall from 1376 - one of the oldest in Belgium, with a richly decorated facade depicting biblical scenes and the coats of arms of past rulers. Inside, you can admire the impressive Gothic Hall with its original 15th-century wooden vault, which miraculously survived fires and wars.

Also located on De Burg Square is Brugse Vrije, the former seat of the regional court and administration, now a museum. This building, though it may appear modest from the outside, hides a real treasure - a monumental Renaissance fireplace made of black marble and oak, commemorating the victory of Emperor Charles V at the Battle of Pavia. This masterful sculpture depicts the emperor surrounded by his ancestors and the coats of arms of the lands he ruled. Called 'Europe's most beautiful fireplace', this mantelpiece is a fine example of 16th century Flemish sculptural artistry.

Nearby, on the same square, rises the Basilica of the Holy Blood - one of Bruges' most valuable religious monuments. This two-story temple combines two styles - the Romanesque lower chapel of St. Basil from the 12th century and the Gothic upper chapel. But the basilica's real treasure is a crystal vial containing, according to tradition, drops of Christ's blood, brought back from Jerusalem by Count Thierry of Alsace after the Second Crusade in 1150. The relic makes the basilica an important pilgrimage destination, and every year on the Feast of the Ascension there is a solemn procession with the relic through the streets of the city - a tradition that has been continuously cultivated for more than 700 years.

Continuing our tour of Bruges' historical gems, it is impossible to miss the Cathedral of the Holy Savior - the city's oldest parish, dating back to the 9th century. The current building, erected in stages from the 12th to 15th centuries, combines elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Although it may appear somewhat austere from the outside, its interior hides real treasures of sacred art. Particularly impressive are the 17th-century stalls with intricately carved scenes from the lives of the Virgin Mary and Christ, the monumental organ and a collection of Flemish tapestries. In the cathedral's treasury you can admire precious reliquaries, monstrances and medieval manuscripts. Note the cathedral's distinctive tower - its massive bulk is an excellent landmark when walking around the city.

Just a few streets away rises the slender silhouette of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose 122-meter brick tower is the tallest building in the city. The construction of this Gothic temple took more than two centuries (13th-15th centuries), and its interior hides a priceless work of art - the marble sculpture 'Madonna and Child' by Michelangelo himself. This is the only sculpture by the Renaissance master that left Italy during his lifetime, arriving in Bruges in 1506 thanks to wealthy Flemish merchants. The church also houses the tombs of Burgundy's last independent rulers, Mary of Burgundy and her father Charles the Bold, which are masterful examples of late Gothic sepulchral art. According to local legend, the church bells themselves began to toll the day Mary of Burgundy died as a result of a fall from her horse while hunting, although no one set them off.

A real treasure trove of Flemish art is the Groeninge Museum, where one of the most important collections of Flemish art in the world can be admired. The museum, although housed in a relatively modern building, displays works spanning six centuries of art history - from the 14th to the 20th century. The pearls of the collection are paintings by Flemish primitivists, especially Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling, who were active in Bruges in the 15th century, during its heyday. It's worth stopping longer at van Eyck's 'Madonna of Canon van der Paele' - a masterpiece of early oil painting, stunning in its precision of detail and masterful use of light. Equally fascinating is Hieronymus Bosch's 'Last Judgment,' full of surreal visions and hidden symbols. The museum also displays works by later masters, including René Magritte, showing the evolution of Belgian art through the centuries.

One of the most charming and peaceful places in Bruges is the Beguinage 'Ten Wijngaerde' (Begijnhof), a complex of white cottages founded in 1245 surrounding a green courtyard. For centuries, this place was a refuge for Beguines - pious women who lived a monastic-like life, although they did not take perpetual vows. The Begijnhof in Bruges is one of the best-preserved complexes of its kind in Europe and has been designated a UNESCO site. Entering through the bridge over the canal and the gate, the visitor is transported to an oasis of tranquility where time passes more slowly. In spring, the courtyard is covered with a carpet of yellow daffodils, creating an unforgettable sight. Today, the cottages are inhabited by Benedictine nuns and lay women who have pledged to preserve the peace and quiet of this unique place. The former home of the Superior of the Beginenses houses a small museum where you can learn about the history of this remarkable female religious movement.

From Begijnhof, head toward nearby Minnewater, a romantic 'Lake of Love' surrounded by a picturesque park. According to local legend, the beautiful Minna, who preferred death to marriage to an unwanted suitor, drowned in the waters of the lake, and her beloved Stromberg threw himself after her in despair. Today the place attracts lovers, and local tradition says that a walk with a loved one on the bridge over the lake ensures eternal love. The distinctive white building with turrets, reflected in the surface of the water, is the former city lock dating back to the 13th century, regulating the water level in the canals of Bruges.

Beyond the main attractions, Bruges hides a number of lesser-known, but equally fascinating sites that provide a deeper understanding of the history of this unique city. One such hidden treasure is the Sint-Janshospitaal (St. John's Hospital), a medieval hospital complex that operated continuously from the 12th to the 19th century, now converted into a museum. It is one of the oldest surviving hospitals in Europe, where you can see what medical care was like in the Middle Ages. Medical instruments, pharmacy utensils and documents illustrating the development of medicine are on display in former patient rooms. The museum's most valuable treasure is a collection of six paintings by Hans Memling, including the famous triptych 'The Mystical Nuptials of St. Catherine,' painted especially for the hospital in 1479. According to local legend, Memling himself was a patient at the hospital after the Battle of Nancy and created these masterpieces in gratitude for his care.

Near the hospital is the charming St. Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug), often referred to as the 'Bridge of Lovers.' This small brick structure, which is thrown over one of the canals, offers one of the most picturesque views in the city. According to local tradition, if a couple in love kisses on the bridge, their love will last forever. Although the bridge looks medieval, it was only built in the early 20th century, which doesn't stop it from being one of the most photographed places in Bruges.

Also worth discovering is the Jerusalem Church, an unusual temple built in the 15th century by the wealthy merchant Adornes family from Genoa. The church was designed as a replica of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which the family visited during a pilgrimage. Its unusual architecture is distinctly different from the Flemish Gothic - a dark interior with a central 'tomb of Christ', a crypt with macabre figures and skulls, and richly decorated stained glass windows create a mysterious atmosphere. The adjacent building houses a small museum of the Adornes family, where you can learn about the history of this influential merchant dynasty.

History buffs should also visit De Halve Maan, a historic brewery that has been in continuous operation since 1856, where the famous Brugse Zot beer is brewed. During a fascinating guided tour, you can learn about the beer production process and see a unique logistical solution - a 3.2-kilometer-long underground pipeline that transports beer from the brewery to the bottling plant outside the historic center. The brewery's roof terrace offers one of the most beautiful views of the city skyline. The tour ends with a tasting of the golden liquor, a perfect culmination of the historical journey.

A little off the main tourist routes is the English Convent, a peaceful place founded in the 17th century by English nuns who fled religious persecution from England. The convent has a beautiful garden and a small museum with valuable manuscripts, embroideries and liturgical objects. Of particular interest is the collection of relics and memorabilia related to English martyrs of the Reformation period. The nuns ran a school for girls from English Catholic families here for centuries, and today the convent is still a place of prayer and contemplation.

When comparing all nine of Bruges' historical gems, it is worth noting their diversity and unique character. While the Belfry and Market Square offer a lively experience in the heart of the city (although they are associated with larger crowds of tourists), the Begijnhof and Minnewater provide a peaceful oasis of tranquility. The Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary impress with priceless treasures of sacred art, while the Groeninge Museum displays secular masterpieces by Flemish masters. For those looking for less crowded sites, Sint-Janshospitaal and Jerusalem Church are fascinating alternatives, offering an equally rich historical experience without having to stand in long lines. Regardless of the sites chosen, each represents a unique piece of the rich mosaic that is historic Bruges, a city like no other in Belgium that allows you to be transported back in time to the golden age of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.