Burgher’s Lodge Bruges

Burgher’s Lodge Bruges: the Bruges ‘Poorters’

The Burghers’ Lodge in Bruges is situated on the tranquil Jan Van Eyck Square. Today a historical monument, but in earlier times an economic nerve center since the initial port of Bruges was located here. The Burghers’ Lodge in Bruges was built in the late 14th – early 15th century and is an excellent example of late Gothic. The Burgher’s Lodge mainly served as venue for the Bruges Poorters (rich merchants) and seat of the knightly joust Association The White Bear. Later in the 18th and 19th century, the Academy of Fine Arts was established here. Since 1912 the Burghers’ Lodge served as National Archives. Another famous and important element in the Burghers’ Lodge is the ‘Bruges Bear’ (Brugs Beertje), according to a legend, the oldest resident of the city. The stone bear carries the shield of the jousting guild of the Burgher’s Lodge.