Markt, Medieval square in Bruges, Belgium
The Markt is a large open square at the heart of Bruges, ringed by colorful historic buildings with distinctive gabled roofs. A tall bell tower rises from the center and dominates the view from every direction.
The square began in the 10th century as a trading hub for the growing city. By around 1200, merchants had established regular international markets here, with wooden halls where they displayed and sold goods.
The statue in the center honors Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, leaders remembered by locals for their role in Flemish resistance. It stands as a gathering point where residents and visitors pause to acknowledge the past.
The square is easy to reach on foot from most parts of the city center and serves as a natural meeting point for walking routes. Cafés and shops line the edges, giving you plenty of spots to rest, eat, or shop while you take in the surroundings.
A dedicated fish market building stood on the north side of the square from the late 1300s until the mid-1700s, where local fishmongers sold their daily catch. This working marketplace shaped daily life on the square for more than three centuries.
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