Ramparts, Bruges Overview

The ramparts are a 7 km long cluster of parks that were initially a set of military fortifications around the city of Burges. The parks are constructed around the urban metropolis - a scenic circle of 3350 trees along with cycling and walking tracks for those who would prefer to walk or ride bicycles across these aesthetically maintained parks.

The ramparts are evidence of the growth of the city itself such that they are one of the most significant constructions of Burges. An ingenious modification of the 19th century, the ramparts around the city can be divided into various architectural segments: the four city gates (named Ezelpoort, Gentpoort, Kruispoort, Smedenpoort), numerous lock weirs, two water houses, 15th century Poertoren (powder tower) and stone bridge, the four windmills in the north-east left from the 11th century, the Minnewater park and the cluster themselves. Two modern bridges were also built for pedestrians in 2002. All these brick and mortar constructions interspersed with nature’s gifts - trees and bushes and lawns and grass makes it is tough to curb the urge to go and give this magnificent 26,000 acres of pure tranquillity a visit.

Ramparts Average Duration

One can take a full circle of the ramparts in about 1-3 hours.

Ramparts History

The ramparts were initially built as fortifications around the city of Burges in the 12th and the 13th centuries during when the population grew significantly. The city emerged as one of the most crucial trade metropoles of North-Western Europe. Not only this, new houses were built to house the growing population. The building of fortifications became necessary because the Count of Flanders and the French King began to grow hostile towards each other. The ramparts were built across a diameter of 6800 m: nine city gates, earthen walls and double moats. This resulted in a lot of damage to the city: growth dropped, the city grew only internally, no military significance of the fortifications. Even then the fortifications were readjusted for newer war techniques such as equipping the moats with ravelins and such. This might have led to the removal of the barricades in various other cities, but the citizens of Bruges proved smarter: they decided to convert these fortifications into a park - De Vestingen, the ramparts. This was done based on the realization of the cities’ remarkable importance as a cultural, historical and architectural hub along with the addition of more leisure walking through the ramparts. The four city gates were restored, and many trees were planted to transform the plain fortifications into a multi-serving tourist attraction.

Ramparts Tips

One should start the walk from Minnewater Park as it is the closest point from which the rampart can be seen alongside the bridge and the powder tower.
Parking is a significant concern when visiting the ramparts such that one can either use the in-parking or out-parking depending on your usage and time availability.
Wear comfortable footwear and carry a water bottle as you will have to walk for the 7 kms.
Benches are available all around the ramparts to sit and soak in the beautiful experience of leisure walking.

How To Reach Ramparts Bruges

As the ramparts are located around the city, technically one can start the park walk from any place and at any time, but for convenience, the Minnewater Park is referred to as the starting point:
Nearest Bus Stop: Bargeplein (Katelijnparking), Bargeweg, 8000 Brugge, Belgium (120 m from the Minnewater Park)
Nearest Railway Station: Bruges / Brugge, Stationsplein 5, 8000 Brugge, Belgium (800 m from the Minnewater Park)
One can easily take any of these routes or decide to hire taxis or cabs for a more private tour.