Burg Square. Bruges, Belgium

Burg Square is one of the oldest parts of the city. It originally housed a fortress at the meeting point of the Oudenburg-Aardenburg Roman road and the Reie canal. In the 10th century, Count Arnulf I of Flanders expanded it, creating a powerful administrative center.

The western side of the square once held Steen Castle, the residence of the Counts of Flanders, while the northern side was home to a church dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Donatian. This church later became a cathedral when Bruges was elevated to a diocese in 1559. Though the cathedral was demolished in 1799, its foundations can still be seen in the cellars of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Today, Burg Square is surrounded by remarkable historical buildings, including the 14th-century Gothic Town Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the former Manor of the Franc of Bruges, the former Civil Registry, and the former Provostry of Saint Donatian. Each building showcases different architectural styles, reflecting the square’s long history.