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Flanders
Home » Belgium » Belgium: Activities and Attractions » Flanders• City of Bruges - The canal by boat: The canal and many other waterways wind their way throughout Bruges, and boat is a popular venue for touring the city. Tours are available each day from mid March through mid November.
• City of Bruges - The Belfry: The tower of the Belfry is a popular tourist attraction in which visitors can climb 366 stairs for a breathtaking view of the city of Bruges. The tower houses a clock mechanism and a carillon of 47 bells.
• City of Ghent - The Mystic Lamb: The most visited site in Ghent, St. Bavo's Cathedral houses the altarpiece on which The Mystic Lamb is painted. This famous painting is considered to be one of the most influential paintings of the Middle Ages, and is an artistic masterpiece in Belgium.
• City of Ghent - Gravensteen Castle: The Gravensteen Castle, also known as the Castle of the Counts, was built in 1180 by the count of Flanders, Philip of Alsace. A crypt, a dungeon, and an exhibition of historical weapons and armor are all to be discovered within the castle.
• City of Antwerp - Rubenshuis: Rubneshuis, the house of famous painter Peter Paul Rubens, now serves as a museum and many of Rubens' famous works can be viewed there. Two of his most famous works are on display there: Adam and Eve in Paradise was painted in 1600 and is located in the Studio section of the museum. Rubens' self-portrait was painted when he was around 50 years of age and is located in the dining room.
• City of Antwerp - Steen Castle: Once located in the center of Antwerp, the remains of this castle are now the National Maritime Museum. Steen is the Dutch word for stone, and the castle was named Steen because it was one of the first buildings in Antwerp that was constructed with stones. This castle was used as a prison for hundreds of years, but it has been a museum since 1862. It has been renovated several times.
• City of Knokke – The Zwin Natural Reserve: This breathtaking reserve sits on the border between Knokke and The Netherlands. It has a rich eco-system that is constantly refreshed at high tide. Many different types of birds gather here, and the flora is astonishing, especially in the summer.
• City of Ypres – The Cloth Hall: Overlooking the Market Square in Ypres is the enormous cloth hall. The building dates back as early as 1260 and is the most imposing medieval cloth hall in Flanders. The hall holds many statues, including statues of King Albert I and his wife, Queen Elisabeth.
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