O.L.V.-kerk Museum (Museum of the Church of Our Lady)

The Church of Our Lady boasts the world's second-highest brick church tower. A timeless reminder of the craftsmanship of Bruges' builders. The tower, supported by eight strong powerhouses, stretches no less than 115 metres into the sky. Together with the Belfry and St Saviour’s Cathedral, the church has shaped the city's skyline for centuries.

History of the Church of Our Lady
Modest beginnings: a small wooden church stood here in the second half of the 9th century. As an assisting church in the parish of Sijsele (7 km beyond Bruges), it was one of the first places of worship in early Bruges. The prestige of the Bruges church grew gradually, until coming to an abrupt end in 1116 due to a fire. In the same year, Our Lady became an independent parish. The construction of the present Gothic masterpiece began between 1210 and 1230 and was completed with the addition of the Paradise Portal (15th century).

The Church of Our Lady has been through a lot over the centuries. In fact, the church survived the Iconoclasm in the 16th century, was sold publicly during the French Revolution and, during the Second World War, Nazis stole one of the masterpieces: the ‘Madonna and Child’ by Michelangelo. Even so, it has remained a place for prayer, a final resting place for important figures and home to many artistic treasures.

A world filled with art treasures
The Church of Our Lady welcomes you with a rich collection of paintings, 13th and 14th-century painted crypts, colourful stained glass windows, plentiful chapels and impressive church furniture. You'll find the most important treasures in the church museum. Here you can admire:

• the tomb of Mary of Burgundy and her father Charles the Bold. These 15th and 16th century monumental tombs combine grandeur, opulence and symbolism in a timeless tribute. The remains of Duchess Mary are in a coffin that can be seen through the glass floor under the mausoleum. 
• the ‘Passion Triptych - Bernard van Orley and Marcus Gheeraerts. An acclaimed Flemish Masterpiece that brings the suffering of Christ to life with colour, emotion and masterful skill. Van Orley died before he could complete it, after which Gheeraerts finished the side panels. 
• the oratory belonging to Louis de Gruuthuse. This unique private chapel, built in 1470, connects the church with the neighbouring Gruuthuse Palace. This meant that the Gruuthuse family could attend church services without even leaving their home. 
• the ‘Madonna and Child’ by Michelangelo. This world-famous white marble statue is the only work by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime. It was bought by the rich Bruges merchant family Mouscron, of which some members are buried at the foot of the statue.

Other must sees
Bruges is famous for its swans. A popular legend explains their presence: in 1488, Flemish cities rebelled against Maximilian of Austria, husband of the late Mary of Burgundy. Maximilian was jailed and forced to watch as his trusted advisor, Pieter Lanchals, was executed on Bruges Market Square. Legend has it that Maximilian punished Bruges later by ordering the city's residents to keep swans  (‘lanchalzen’ or long necks) on their waters forever after. On Pieter Lanchals’ funerary monument, you can spot a swan on his coat of arms.

Virtual tour
Feeling curious? Get a virtual glimpse of the Church of Our Lady.