St. Giles Church

St. Giles Church stands in Baliestraat, away from Bruges’s busiest tourist streets. Its original church dates to the 13th century; it was rebuilt in Gothic brick in the 15th century and redecorated in the 19th. Inside, look for the wall paintings of the Way of the Cross and the artwork depicting its 14 stations. The church is often quiet, giving you time to notice the light and the old interior. Entry is free, and the setting offers a calmer stop than the city’s busier churches.

From medieval church to Gothic brick

The original church dates to the 13th century. It was rebuilt in Gothic brick in the 15th century, then redecorated in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style.

The church is in an area where artists and painters lived and worked during the Middle Ages. Flemish painter Hans Memling was buried in the parish cemetery, as he could not afford burial inside the church.

Art inside the church

Look for wall paintings depicting the Way of the Cross and an artwork representing its 14 stations. Some paintings may be difficult to interpret if you need English explanations, so background information can help you make sense of what you see.

The church has a wooden barrel-vaulted nave, an uncommon feature among Bruges churches. Its interior is light-filled, and its older artworks and architecture reward a slow look around.