CATHÉDRALE SAINT-SAUVEUR

It is the oldest parish church in the city. Within its walls in 1478, the Knights of the Golden Fleece met to establish the succession of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who confirmed his daughter Marie as the new duchess. A duchess who would be the beloved of the people of Bruges. It became the seat of the bishopric of Bruges after the destruction of St. Donatian's cathedral during the occupation of the French revolutionaries in 1799.

Built from the 12th to the 15th century, it is essentially in Gothic style but flanked by a neo-Romanesque bell tower that was added after a restoration in 1849.

Inside, there are many works of art and furniture to be seen. As is often the case, the Counter-Reformation period brought to the severe building a munificent Baroque decoration that contrasts with the straight and pure lines of the Gothic style. The altar dates from 1636. On both sides of the choir, you can't miss the huge Brussels tapestries (8 of them). The cartoons of these tapestries, designed by Jan van Orley, are themselves on display in the cathedral. At the beginning of the choir, the tapestries fly over 48 Gothic stalls from 1430, above which the coat of arms of the Knights of the Golden Fleece has been added, in memory of their reunion in 1478. Also noteworthy are the shrine of St. Eloi and the shrine of Charles the Good surrounded by mausoleums.

Don't miss the visit to the Treasury, which contains the most beautiful paintings in the building, by Dirk Bouts among others.