Concertgebouw Brugge

The Concertgebouw Brugge, at 't Zand 34 in Brugge, Belgium, is the city's main concert hall and performing arts venue, opened in 2002 when Brugge was a European Capital of Culture. The building, designed by the architects Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem, stands on 't Zand, the large square on the western edge of the old town, about twelve minutes' walk from the Markt. Its exterior is a modern composition of brick and red-orange steel panels that echoes the red roofs and the brickwork of the medieval city, and it is often cited as a successful contemporary addition to a historic centre. Inside, the main hall seats around 1,200 people and has an acoustic design praised by musicians, while a smaller chamber hall and rehearsal spaces accommodate more intimate performances. The programme covers classical and contemporary music, opera, dance, jazz, world music and theatre. The hall is home to the Brugge-based Anima Eterna Orchestra and hosts the biennial MAfestival, devoted to early music, and the Cactus Festival connections in the area. Visitors who do not attend a concert can still see the lobby, the cafe and the architecture, and guided tours of the building are sometimes offered. The box office is generally open Tuesday to Saturday from about 10:00 to 18:00, and on concert evenings until the performance. Tickets start from about EUR 15, with youth discounts. A concert lasts roughly two hours with an interval. Evening concerts are the main draw, and the early evening, when the square is lit and the brick facade glows, is the best time for photography. Crowds are heaviest for major touring orchestras and festival weekends, so booking ahead is wise. The hall is a short walk from the station and the bus stops, and a car park lies beneath 't Zand.