In Bruges is a drama, horror, comedy film from 2008 starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes under the direction of Martin McDonagh about two Irish hitmen who are hiding in Belgium from their boss after they realize they have to kill a priest and instead kill a boy and one of them experiences a change of heart.
The movie’s plot is one of redemption, repentance, crime, and punishment, and it was beautifully filmed on location across many places that we’re going to explore today. If you ever visit Belgium and are a movie fan, be sure to check these places out, because they’re filled with architectural beauty and vibrant history, and of course, you have the added feel of knowing that it was a filming location for one hell of a movie.
In Bruges Filming Locations
In Bruges was filmed in its entirety across several locations in Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium. Today, we’re going to explore some of those iconic and historic locations that add another layer of depth to the film and make the city a character within the movie itself.
Fun fact: In Bruges was Martin McDonagh’s directorial debut. The movie was also written by him and marked the start of a great filming career spanning movies like Six Shooter (from which he won an Oscar) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Seven Psychopaths.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
This Roman Catholic basilica was built between 1134 and 1157 as a Chapel and then promoted to a minor basilica in the 1920s, it is located in the Burg square, and it houses a phial containing a piece of cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ.
In the movie, Brendan Gleeson’s character, the mentor to Colin Farrell’s character, pays a visit to the relic of the Holy Blood, but in fact, the indoor scenes from that visit were actually filmed in the Church of Jerusalem instead of the Basilica.
Konigin Astridpark
The Queen Astrid Park is located in the heart of Brugges, it is adjacent to the Burg Square and the Fish Market. It is a botanical park with lots of varieties of seasonal trees, large playgrounds, a pond with a fountain, and it was one of the places that Colin Farrell’s character visits when he’s having a change of heart after the dramatic events that led him to question his way of life.
Jerusalem Church
The Jerusalem Church is a replica of the tomb of Jesus Christ, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the site where Jesus Christ was believed to be buried and resurrected. It was built as a prestige project by a wealthy family in the 15th century.
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The Belfry of Bruges
The Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower, a symbol of the city that used to house the treasury, the municipality’s administrative branch, and an observation post. It is adjacent to the market and has become a cultural icon of the city. It hosts a series of enormous bells that announce the time and celebrate certain religious events. There are a total of 47 bells that weigh around 27 tons. If you ever go to Bruges, it’s a landmark that’s impossible to miss.
This is where some of the climactic scenes of the movie take place. In its exteriors, we see the two main characters drinking a beer on the market beneath the square of this imposing architectural wonder. It is where the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and sorrow take place right near the end of the movie.
With the Belfry of Brugges, we wrap up this movie’s filming locations, which were shot entirely in that Belgian historical city full of landmarks. If you ever visit Belgium, make sure to have the time to visit Bruges. It is a beautiful place with lots of things to do, eat, look at and enjoy.
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