Flemish Renaissance itinerary through Bruges, Ghent, Mechelen and Brussels
The Flemish Renaissance can be explored through an itinerary that spans four Belgian cities during the Duchy of Burgundy (1348–1482). Bruges showcases landmarks such as the Belfort tower, the Cathedral of St. Saviour, and the Church of Our Lady, which features Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges, along with the Groeningemuseum. The Gruuthuse, established in 1425, stands as a symbol of the Burgundian era. Starting on 20 February 2020, the libraries of the English and Carmelite Convents will be accessible to the public. Ghent is home to St. Bavo's Cathedral, which contains the Ghent Altarpiece, and a Town Hall that fuses Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Mechelen boasts St. Rumbold's Tower and the Hof van Busleyden, while Brussels features the Royal Museums, including the Old Masters Museum, with De Librije set to open in the Royal Library in May 2020.
Key facts
- Itinerary covers Bruges, Ghent, Mechelen, and Brussels under the Duchy of Burgundy (1348–1482).
- Bruges: Belfort tower (83 m, 366 steps, 47-bell carillon), Cathedral of St. Saviour with Bouts's Triptych of St. Hippolytus.
- Church of Our Lady in Bruges holds Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges and tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold.
- Gruuthusemuseum in Bruges renovated; Gruuthuse construction began 1425 by Jan IV Van der Aa-Van Brugge.
- From 20 February 2020, libraries of English Convent and Carmelite Convent open with manuscripts and incunabula.
- Ghent: St. Bavo's Cathedral houses van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece; Prinsenhof where Charles V was born in 1500.
- Mechelen: Hof van Busleyden restored by David Driesen and Hans Le Compte, doubling exhibition space.
- Brussels: De Librije museum opens May 2020 in Royal Library's Nassau Chapel, displaying Library of Dukes of Burgundy.
Entities
Artists
- Dieric Bouts
- Michelangelo
- Master of the Legend of St. Lucy
- Jan van Eyck
- Hubert van Eyck
- Hans Memling
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Pieter Paul Rubens
- Antoon van Dyck
- Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- Rogier van der Weyden
- Jacques de Guise
- Hieronymus van Busleyden
- Tommaso Moro (Thomas More)
- Erasmus da Rotterdam (Erasmus of Rotterdam)
- Jan IV Van der Aa-Van Brugge
- Louis of Gruuthuse
- Filippo l'Ardito (Philip the Bold)
- Carlo I di Borgogna (Charles the Bold)
- Maria di Borgogna (Mary of Burgundy)
- Carlo V (Charles V)
- Filippo il Buono (Philip the Good)
Institutions
- Duchy of Burgundy
- Cathedral of St. Saviour (Bruges)
- Church of Our Lady (Bruges)
- Church of St. James (Bruges)
- Groeningemuseum
- Sint-Janshospitaal
- Gruuthusemuseum
- English Convent (Bruges)
- Carmelite Convent (Bruges)
- Dukes' Palace hotel
- St. Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent)
- MSK (Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent)
- SMAK (Museum of Contemporary Art, Ghent)
- St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Mechelen)
- St. John's Church (Mechelen)
- Hof van Busleyden
- St. Peter's Church (Leuven)
- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
- Old Masters Museum (Brussels)
- Royal Library of Belgium
- De Librije museum
- Library of the Dukes of Burgundy
- NATO
- European Union
Locations
- Bruges
- Belgium
- Ghent
- Mechelen
- Brussels
- Leuven
- Piazza del Mercato (Bruges)
- Belfort (Bruges)
- Cappella di Gerusalemme (Bruges)
- Prinsenhof (Ghent)
- Donkere Poort (Ghent)
- Torre di San Rambaldo (Mechelen)
- Cappella Nassau (Brussels)