Onze-Lieve-Vrouw

Onze-​Lieve-​Vrouw-​DRINK! It sounds like a drinking chant, sorry.
Church of Our Lady, the tallest thing in Bruges, unless I’m on my back. Pretty church with brick, marble, smooth stone, bronze, the highlight being Michelangelo’s marble Madonna and Child. Aptly, the child was African, just like the singer Madonna. Only this Madonna didn’t have a red string around her wrist. Madonna was stolen twice, actually. Three times if you count Lady Gaga.

Beautiful cathedral in the heart of Bruges that is truly remarkable to see. Fee was € 2 to enter which is nothing to marvel at it’s stunning architecture. It’s well worth the visit and the crowds.

From a distance, it appears to tower into the sky with what unmodern technology can build, as if a castle from a Hobbit movie. With a stature built centuries ago from the realistic stand point. But still sustained through the centuries. Just an awe to look at and of course take photos of. When you get close to the entrance, all you can see are the lower parts of the walls, by looking up, one cannot see the top portion. That’s how tall and wide this church stands.
It’s only a couple Euros to enter the magnificent church, but the main attraction would be Mary and Christ as a boy (Madonna And Child), the cost is not much to see one of Michelangelo’s once stolen works… a crafted part of history. There are paintings along this hall way down to where the actual sculpture is blocked off and can be viewed from about 20 feet away.
For a Christian, this church would be very impacting. It is dark in there and it is very gothic in a Catholic kind of way. One can even see a rack of spikes, original style Cilice? Possibly. That is the exhibit.
The other side is the actual church with two places to sit and pray. A more private behind doors yet modern section and the open area with candles. I sat, saw and felt.
I won’t elaborate on any personal religious thoughts or beliefs but an awe inside as it was from a far away standpoint.

It is undergoing a massive remodel so many areas were inaccessible. However, a good bet for the reduced two euro rate. Gotta see the Madonna and child sculpture.

Just outside of the main town square, lies one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the area. Being well over 300 ft tall, it’s the second largest brickwork tower in the world. The architecture, attention to detail and overall aesthetics are remarkable. It also happens to have one of the only Michelangelo works the Madonna of Bruges inside at the altar. The outside grounds are also beautiful and one of the best approaches is from the bridge going over the canal to the back.

Though seemingly austere on first impression this beautiful church is always on our must do every time we go to Bruges. If there is a fog the massive tower looms out over you as approach from Park Hotel. Overwhelming on entry but you soon become accustomed to it.