Historium Tower
Breathtaking 360° view
Climb the Historium Tower, standing 35 meters tall, for an impressive 360° view of the Bruges Market Square and the Belfry. After climbing 145 steps, you will reach the lookout point for a unique panorama. Following your descent, visit the Historium Exhibition for additional information on Bruges’ architecture and medieval city life.
The neo-Gothic tower of the Historium building dates from 1921 and was designed by the renowned architect Jules Coomans. The slender stair tower was inspired by that of the Poortersloge on Jan van Eyckplein.
Tip: See Bruges from a different perspective and take a selfie with the Belfry in the background!
Please note: the tower is not accessible to everyone; please read below.
Only for the truly brave!
The corner tower has 145 steps and consists of 5 levels. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360° view of the most important buildings in Bruges: Saint Saviour’s Cathedral, the Concertgebouw, the Prinsenhof, Saint James’s Church, Hof Bladelin, the City Theatre… and the Belfry, of course!
Important:
Please keep in mind that the lookout point of this historically protected tower is small and not very comfortable:
- The entrance doorway is 45 cm wide. The lookout platform is narrow. There is a similar passage at the tower entrance: if you can pass through it easily, you will be able to climb the tower without any problems.
- For safety reasons, we advise individuals with claustrophobia or a fear of heights against visiting the tower.
- The minimum height for the tower visit is 1.40 m.
A building with a history
Although the Historium tells a medieval story and our building looks quite ancient, the structure itself is not that old… Read the history of this location below.
In the Middle Ages, the Waterhalle stood on the site where the Historium building is now located. The Waterhalle was the large warehouse of the port and a true wonder of the world—especially for that period! The building was vast and extended as far as Breidelstraat. For comparison: it was as large as our building, the Provincial Court, and the former Post Office building (where you can now visit the Bruges Beer Experience) combined.
In 1787, the Waterhalle was demolished and replaced by a classicist complex (including the Provincial Court). A fire destroyed this building in 1878. It was not until 1887 that the reconstruction of the Provincial Court and the Post Office on the corner of Breidelstraat began. In 1902, the government purchased the burnt-out section on the corner of Philipstockstraat (‘Café Foy’). They commissioned the famous Ypres architect Jules Coomans to build a structure in an eclectic neo-Gothic style with a slender corner tower: the current Historium building.
The building gives a Neo-Renaissance impression due to the double covered gallery on the Market Square side and the medallions in the facade. The building is not typically Bruges neo-Gothic, as bluestone was used instead of brick for the front facade. The building was completed in 1921 and was used by the Flemish Administration of Roads and Traffic. In 2009, the building was sold to private owners, and in 2012, the Historium opened its doors. Since 2018, you can also climb the Historium Tower.
