Castles around Bruges

Bruges is the capital and largest city of West Flanders, but the attractive town still feels small-scale. Much of the atmosphere is radiated by the 430 hectare historic center, which as a medieval city is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Cute houses, historic streets and lovely squares are waiting for you to explore. Of the 117,000 inhabitants, only 20,000 live in the center. Canals have connected the city to the sea for centuries and have brought it much prosperity. On the edge of the urban agglomeration of Bruges lies an old hamlet that is included as a district of the city. Male Castle is by far the most interesting sight in this part of the city and is also called St. Trudo's Abbey. The abbey was founded around 1050, when a hermit started building a modest place of worship. He gained followers who soon formed a community. A church and a monastery were built there, which burned down in 1261. Both were rebuilt a little closer to the road to Kortrijk. For years, the religious building was used for religious worship, until it became private property in 2011. Another beautiful place worth a visit is Domain Ryckevelde. More than 120 hectares of forest and heathland surroundings extend here. The forests are partly protected and the area is partly a military domain. The domain contains a neo-Gothic castle, a mansion and farm and an artistically landscaped native garden. The House of Caloen is also an imposing building. The house was inhabited by a noble family, to which the first baronial title was granted in 1839. Finally, we arrive at Tillegembos Provincial, or the Provicial Domain Tillegembos. Deciduous and coniferous forests, hay meadows and recreational meadows give even more cachet to the walled castle of Tillegemen and the associated chapel and castle farm that dominate the site. Furthermore, allotment gardeners will get their money's worth, because there are various plots where they practice their hobby with love and pleasure. The route starts and ends at Peelaertplein Parking Lot.