Church of our Lady.
Already very early in its history, Bruges’ skyline was dominated by three towers, and the tower of the Church of our Lady was and still is one of them. Note that the tower is made from bricks. In the area around Bruges no natural stone can be found, but clay is abundantly present. The technology for producing bricks was already developed in the 12th century.
Already in the 9th century a Romanesque church existed at this site, but the present building is Gothic and dates mainly from the 13th and 14th century. Most works of art however are from a later date. Most famous is the Madonna with Child from Michelangelo.
The chancel, with choir and altar, is a museum area which is said to be the most "Burgundian" church interior in Bruges. This is first of all because of the presence of the mausoleums of Charles the Bold, the last duke of Burgundy, and his daughter and only child Mary of Burgundy. (See the history section). Also related to the Burgundian period are the choir stalls, and the "oratory" a connection to the house of the Gruuthuse family who could follow the service from this priviliged point of view.
Charles the Bold expanded the territory considerably, almost to the extent that he could travel from Flanders to Burgundy without leaving his own soil. He died on the battlefield in Nancy.
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