Explore Bruges Churches: Historic and architectural wonders
Bruges is home to magnificent churches steeped in history and beauty. From the imposing Church of Our Lady to the hidden chapels, each church tells a unique story and invites admiration. Discover Bruges' religious heritage on an enchanting journey through this historic city.
The churches of Bruges
Since Bruges is a very Catholic city, you will find many churches in the city center. These churches are an important part of the city and reflect its rich religious heritage and cultural identity.
How many churches does Bruges have?
Bruges is blessed with a large number of churches, ranging from large cathedrals to small chapels. In all, there are 17 churches scattered throughout the city.
Which are churches in Bruges?
In Bruges you will find several churches worth visiting. In our Private churches tour we visit the most impressive churches. During this tour you will learn more about the religious architecture, history and art present in these churches.
Our churches we visit are: St. Jacabos' Church, St. Anne's Church, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, St. Savior Cathedral and of course the highlight of all churches in Bruges; the Church of Our Lady with the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.
The Saint-Jacob's church
The Saint-Jacob's church in Bruges is a hidden gem. During the Middle Ages it was the church for the elite of Bruges. Charles the Bold, members of the order of the golden fleece, Tomasso Portinari, Pieter Bladelin, etc. The architecture of the church is special. It's a church with a celebration tower. In the church we find unique art which is not at all the touristic guides
The Church of Saint-Anne
The Church of Saint-Anne in Bruges is definitely also a hidden gem. From te outside it looks like a basic the church, but the inside will blow you away. Beautiful baroque panelling and the biggest wallpainting of Bruges at the entrance are the highlights in the church. The church was mainly funded by the guilds. In which you see all the coat of arms in the stained glass.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges is probably the site which triggers the biggest part of your imagination. The relic brought to Bruges by the count of Flanders; Diederick van den Elzas has a big part of reality. Although people think this could be anybody's blood it is historically correct that the blood of Jesus Christ was indeed at that time in Constantinople. In this church you discover the real relic.
The Church of Our Lady
The Church of our Lady in Bruges is definitely the highlight in the tour. Built in the 14th century the church is the symbol of prosperity in Bruges in the 14th century. The church is the centre of the history of Bruges and has a very valuable art collection. The highlights in the church are the impressive 15the century tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary from Burgundy. The Duke and Dutches of Burgundy.
And of course the whipped cream on the pie. The statue of the Madonna with the Child by Michelangelo. One of the few art miracles in Bruges.
The visit of the interior of the Church of Our Lady is definitely the highlight of the Private Churches tour. No more high end art than in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges.
The Saint-Savior cathedral
We end with the religious pride of Bruges. The Saint-Saviour cathedral with is impressive real Baroque interior. The church, with it's many relics and rich tapestry was also important in historical ways. As the Church of Our Lady meetings of the order of the Golden Fleece also took place in the church. In terms of art the highlight in the church is the statue of Quellinus de Jonge in the organ gallery of the church.
Inspired by the Mozes by Michelangelo it has the same expressive look as the famous statue. The statue is called; the God Almighty by Saint-Saviour and is a prefect example of high baroque art.
Explore Bruges Churches: Historic and architectural wonders
As you can read the Private Churches of Bruges tour is an overwhelming overview of art, history and important facts of Bruges. You can't understand Bruges without understanding it's churches. Join us on this magnificent journey and experience the beauty of the amazing art of Bruges. Check our itinerary or book here.
FAQ
1. Which churches does the private churches tour visit?
Five churches, each with a different character. Saint James's Church was the church of Bruges' elite during the Middle Ages — Charles the Bold, members of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the great merchant families — and holds art you won't find in any tourist guide. Saint Anne's Church looks modest from the outside; the interior is full baroque, with the largest wall painting in Bruges at the entrance and the coats of arms of the guilds in the stained glass. The Basilica of the Holy Blood holds the actual relic brought to Bruges by Count Diederik van den Elzas — historically documented as blood that was in Constantinople at the time. The Church of Our Lady is the highlight: the 15th-century tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy, and Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. The tour ends at Saint Saviour's Cathedral, with its baroque interior, rich tapestry collection, and the statue of God Almighty by Quellinus the Younger in the organ gallery — inspired by Michelangelo's Moses, with the same expressive intensity.
2. How many churches are there in Bruges in total?
Seventeen, spread across the city centre. Bruges has always been an intensely Catholic city, and the density of churches reflects both its religious heritage and the economic power that funded them during the medieval period. The private churches tour focuses on the five most historically and artistically significant ones.
3. Why is the churches tour a good way to understand Bruges?
Because you can't separate the churches from the city's history. They were built by the same merchant families who ran Bruges' trade empire, funded by the same guilds that controlled its economy, and decorated with art that arrived through the same trade routes that connected Bruges to Italy, Spain and the North. The religious architecture is the economic and political history made visible. The tour covers the art and the interior, but also what each building meant in its time — which is the part most visitors miss.