An increasing number of tourists are stealing cobblestones to take as a souvenir when visiting the city centre of Bruges, according to a report by the newspaper Krant van West-Vlaanderen on Thursday.
City councillor Franky Demon (CD&V) confirmed to Belga News Agency that dozens of cobblestones are stolen every month from certain locations in the historic centre.
Iconic local spots such as Minnewater, Vismarkt, the Grand Place and the Gruuthuse Museum are reportedly losing between 50 to 70 cobblestones each month, particularly during the high tourism season in spring and summer, according to Demon.
The thefts are causing safety issues, as the gaps left by the missing stones pose a hazard for pedestrians. "Our workers constantly have to fill in the holes and replace the missing cobblestones. It costs around €200 per square metre," said the councillor.
Demon is urging people not to take the cobblestones. "We ask for nothing but respect. Walking in Bruges means treading on centuries of history. Please leave these stones where they belong."
