Concertgebouw Brugge

In the early 1990s, the idea of having its own concert hall came to fruition in Bruges. A contemporary platform for music, dance and visual arts. An original place, adding value to the city. In 1997, Bruges launched an international competition for the design of the building and at the same time applied to be the Cultural Capital of Europe.

The design competition was won by the famous Belgian firm of architects Robbrecht & Daem. Shortly after, it was also announced that Bruges would be the Cultural Capital of Europe. One of the objectives of this prestigious project was to integrate contemporary architecture into the street scene. Bruges therefore wants the building ready for the start of the cultural year. It was a huge undertaking, but it succeeded: after less than two and a half years, the red Concertgebouw on 't Zand Square was built in 2002.

The cultural temple engages in a dialogue with the city and its surroundings. Indeed, the building is clad in no less than 68,000 blood-red terracotta tiles. A nod to the characteristic red roofs within the heart of Bruges. The Lantaarntoren (Lantern Tower) refers to the plump church towers of villages in the Hinterland of Bruges, such as Damme, Lissewege and Oostkerke. The reclining structure of the Concertgebouw is also a very nice contrast with the upright architecture of the Belfort (Belfry), the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal (St Saviour's Cathedral) and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady). Large windows inside the building offer some great views of the city.

The Concertgebouw is a statement when it comes to contemporary visual art. With works by well-known Belgian artists, such as Luc Tuymans, Dirk Braeckman, Carl De Keyzer and Peter Verhelst, the Concertgebouw is an icon. The internationally acclaimed building is known for its top-notch acoustics, its technical qualities and its appeal to artists. The title ‘Cultural Capital of Europe’ and the new Concertgebouw were decisive in putting Bruges on the map as a contemporary city of art.