To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Bruges City Council have decided that the Burg Square in Bruges, one of Belgium’s two Medieval squares, will be lit in green for the first time ever. This historic greening is part of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening Initiative, in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland to the Kingdom of Belgium.

The Burg Square was already inhabited in the 2nd century AD, and in the 9th century it became the home of the Count of Flanders. Bruges and the surrounding territory were governed from the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges from the Late Middle Ages until 1795. For almost the next 200 years the buildings were occupied by law courts. To the left of the 14th-century city hall you will find the old Court of Justice, a rare example of Renaissance architecture in Bruges, and to the right you will find the Basilica of the Holy Blood, where the relic of the Holy Blood is kept.

Members of the public are welcome on Monday 16th March 2015 as from 20h00 (please note – the lights go on the day before St. Patrick’s day!) when the Burg will be greened in the presence of Ireland’s Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection Mr. Dara Murphy T.D., the Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of Belgium, Éamonn Mac Aodha and Tourism Ireland representatives. The Burg will also be lit in green on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17th March 2015.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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