This spectacular Gruuthuse museum tells the fascinating story of Bruges through a rich collection of paintings, maps, tapestries, archaeological finds and vintage tourist guides.
It is located in a freshly-restored 15th century palace built by a fabulously wealthy arms dealer who decorated his palace with military cannons.
It’s worth coming here just to wander through the renovated building and admire the painted ceilings, gleaming floor tiles and decorated fireplaces. The highlight is a fabulous view of Bruges from a Gothic belvedere.
The 15th-century owner Lodewijk van Gruuthuse built the viewpoint to spot boats arriving at the landing stage below. From up here you get a view that is almost like a mediaeval Flemish painting.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
