Sleutelbrug (Key Bridge)

Music lovers, go and visit this ancient bridge dating as far back as the year 1331. The 'key' in the name does not refer to the treble clef, but to the 15th-century brewery 'De Sleutels' (The Keys). This was located more or less where the hotel 'Monsieur Ernest' now is. However, it is the Speelmanskapel (Minstrels Guild’s Chapel) that plays first fiddle here. 'Speelman' is another word for minstrel or medieval musician. The Bruges musicians were united in a guild and came together in this chapel, one of the city's last preserved guild chapels. Only they, and no one else, were allowed to officiate at weddings and celebrations in Bruges. Really nice people. Smart, too. The Sleutelbrug is somewhat hidden, but still close to the lively 't Zand Square with the Concertgebouw, Bruges' contemporary music temple.