Sint-Jacobskerk

A 13th-century construction, the Saint James Church, dedicated to St. James of the Apostle was built in gothic fashion mixed with Renaissance style. It came to be a parish church after a massive expansion of it to match with the ever-growing opulence of the Flemish crowds back in 1459. This expansion was patroned by the Duke of Burgundy. The church is famous among art-lovers and architect enthusiasts as it houses some of the most prominent 16th and 18th-century furnishings and artworks. The church is located north-west to the centre of the city, and its tall towers make a considerable part of the Bruges’ skyline.

In its famous architecture, it holds a splendid pulpit, a pipe organ, high vaulted interior, funerary goods, vestments, engraved brasses from the 16th century and a central tower made of bluish-grey Tournai stone. Some of its artworks are - the statue of Virgin and Child, a prominent Christian icon, dressed in ornate robes. The church is also sometimes wrongly known as the Saint Jacob Church because Flemish language uses the same words for both terms - Jacob and James. This church is another example of Bruges’ rich history.