Landhuis van het Brugse Vrije

About the museum

From the beginning of the twelfth century the Brugse Vrije was an autonomous administrative, financial and judicial part of the County of Flanders. The area covered the region around Bruges, between the North Sea, the Westerschelde and the IJzer. It had its own college of aldermen seated on the Burg, but had no authority over the city of Bruges itself. At the end of the fourteenth century the Vrije became the fourth member of Flanders, alongside Bruges, Ghent and Ypres. It was only abolished in 1795.

The countryside was governed from the Landhuis on the Burg, next to the town hall. To the right of the Landhuis, the facade of the Griffie (court registry) stands out, with a gilded Lady Justice on the roof, a reference to the later justice of the peace.

Via the old assize court hall you enter the aldermen's chamber. There stands the monumental chimneypiece of 1528, a tribute to Emperor Charles V. It is made of oak, marble and alabaster to a design by Lanceloot Blondeel. A seventeenth-century painting by Gillis Van Tilborgh shows how a session in this room unfolded; the furnishings of the room are preserved in the painting.

Today the City Archives of Bruges (Stadsarchief van Brugge) are housed in the Landhuis. Only the aldermen's chamber is part of Musea Brugge and is accessible to visitors.

Highlights

• Keizer Karelschouw from 1528 of oak, marble and alabaster, designed by Lanceloot Blondeel
• Aldermen's chamber of the Brugse Vrije
• Seventeenth-century painting by Gillis Van Tilborgh of a session in the aldermen's chamber
• Old assize court hall
• Facade of the Griffie with the gilded Lady Justice

Permanent exhibition

• Schepenkamer met de Keizer Karelschouw – In the aldermen's chamber of the Brugse Vrije you can see the monumental chimneypiece from 1528 and a seventeenth-century painting of a session in the same room.

Operated by

Musea Brugge (Stad Brugge)

Admission & discounts

A ticket for the Stadhuis (Town Hall) also gives access to the Brugse Vrije; you can also buy a separate ticket for the Brugse Vrije only. Companions of visitors with a disability, residents of Bruges and Friends of Musea Brugge enter free; admission is also free with ICOM, Museumpas, Merito Club, Riebedebie (passport campaign), SELECT Card and Brugse Stadsgids with FTG card. An online ticket cannot be changed, exchanged or cancelled.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The access paths and the museum are wheelchair-accessible with assistance. The entrance can be reached by a retractable ramp (gradient of 30%) or via three steps. There is no toilet. In the museum there are resting points, and for visitors with a hearing impairment there is an audio tour in text format. Wheelchairs may be taken on all De Lijn buses and the city centre shuttle bus. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed; other pets are not.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly

Children under 13 enter free of charge; pushchairs are accessible.

Getting there & parking

Plan your route via the De Lijn website or the city centre shuttle bus.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi at the Musea Brugge locations; bicycle parking available; no toilet.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit