House numbers in Bruges

A brief history of house numbers from 1790 to the present.

House numbers... you don’t notice them unless you’re looking for an address and can’t find it. House numbers are just as interesting as more striking elements on building facades. Moreover, they have changed over time.
For instance, there were different systems during Austrian, French, Dutch, and Belgian rule.
During this walk, we’ll take you on a tour of Bruges with house numbers as our guiding thread. Marvel at traces of house numbers from the past and present, unique combinations of letters and numbers, and varying shapes and sizes.

This walk is an initiative of the City of Bruges’ Department of Monument Conservation and Heritage Affairs, in conjunction with Heritage Day 2024, with the theme “Home!”

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Photos: City of Bruges Creative Unit, Thomas Wets, Eva Tahon, Monumentenzorg photo archive via: Beeldbankbrugge.be, Icon Ivan Creatype, Wikimedia Commons

📏 1.5 km
🕑 1:00
📍 Gezellehuis
🏁 Gezellehuis