Minnewater

Lake of Love

06/2023 The Minnewater, located in the south of Bruges' old town, is one of the city's most romantic spots and is often called the Lake of Love, a name that stems from an old Roman tale. It tells the tragic love story of Minna and Stromberg. According to legend, Minna died at the spot where the bridge now stands. It is said that whoever crosses the bridge with their loved one will experience eternal love.

The Minnewater lies on the southern edge of the historic center, directly adjacent to the famous Beguinage. Originally, the body of water was not a lake, but part of the River Reie, which connected Bruges to the North Sea. In the Middle Ages, the Minnewater served as a harbor basin where merchant ships (barges) moored, bringing textiles, spices, and wine to Bruges. The present-day lake only came into being with the construction of a lock in the 16th century, and from then on it served as a reservoir to control the water level in the city's canals.

The building with the pointed gable at the northern end of the lake (in the background on the left in the picture) was the functional heart of the system. Here, the lock gates were operated to regulate the water level of the canals.

The striking neo-Gothic castle on the right (foreground) is the Kasteel de la Faille. It was built in 1890 for a wealthy florist. It underscores the romantic character of Minnewater Park, which was created in the late 1970s.