Simon Stevinplein (Simon Stevin Square)

The mathematician and physicist Simon Stevin (born in Bruges in 1548, died in The Hague in 1620), after whom the square is named, stands proud on this lively square, which is framed by neat rows of linden trees. He invented the decimal system for fractions and created the mathematical basis for the construction of fortifications. Until 1819 the square was the site of the Westvleeshuis or the Bruges Groot Vleeshuis (Great Butchers’ Hall). It was owned by the Guild of Butchers and, before being turned into a square, it was called the Oude Vrijdagsmarkt (Old Friday Market).