Bonifacius Bridge

This is the most romantic bridge in Bruges, and it is a complete fake. Or rather, a very convincing one. The Bonifacius Bridge looks ancient — moss-covered stone arches over a narrow canal, framed by the towering Gothic walls of the Church of Our Lady and the medieval Gruuthuse palace. It is the kind of scene that makes people propose marriage. But the bridge was actually built in the early 20th century, making it one of the newest structures in the oldest part of the city.

The deception is so good that most visitors have no idea. The bridge was constructed to connect the gardens of a private residence with the Gruuthuse complex, and whoever designed it had either a deep reverence for medieval architecture or a very good sense of humour. There is an additional layer of dark comedy: parts of the bridge were reportedly constructed using old tombstones. On at least one stone, you can still make out the original funerary inscription, which gives the whole romantic setting a slightly macabre undertone.

Locals call it the Kissing Bridge. The legend says that when you finish crossing, the first person you see is the one you will marry. Whether this has ever resulted in an actual marriage to a confused tourist is unrecorded.

The view from the bridge is genuinely one of the finest in Bruges. The canal stretches away beneath medieval walls covered in climbing plants, the brick tower of the Church of Our Lady rises above, and on a misty morning the scene looks like it was painted by one of the Flemish Primitives who made this city famous. The bridge proves that in Bruges, authenticity is less important than atmosphere — and the atmosphere here is perfect.