Brugge

On our latest adventure Ben and I headed to Belgium. We took the Sunday afternoon train from St. Pancras and were eating mussels and fries for dinner. We stayed in an awesome airbnb right in the heart of Brussels. For our first whole day in Belgium we caught a train to Brugge. It is one of the most charming towns we have ever ben to. 

Every shop was decorated for Christmas which simply added to the charm.

 One of the main attractions I wanted to see in Brugge was Michelangelo's sculpture Madonna and Child. It is one of the few pieces of Michelangelo's work to leave Italy during his lifetime. It was stolen by Nazi's during WWII but found with other works in a salt mine a year later (Monument's Men anyone?). It is housed in The Church of Our Lady in Brugge. 

 The church was undergoing some major restoration both inside and out.

 Some of the restoration includes uncovering paintings and murals as well as restoring the paintings in the church. In the picture above notice how there is a relief carved into the wall behind the painting.

Madonna and Child. 

 We stood looking at this for a long while and at one point Ben noticed that there was a giant crack in the wall that carried through into the carving on the right. 

 We wondered around Brugge most of the day. Snacking on chocolate and treats we got at their Christmas market. 

 Pony chocolate! That was the first one to get eaten. 

 Oh a giant Van Eyck statue. 

We really loved our visit to Brugge. It is so charming and lovely that we would happily visit again.