Minnewater (the "Lake of Love") Brugge |
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The Minnewater in Bruges is a canalised lake. In medieval times Minnewater (the "Lake of Love"), on the far side of Wijngaardplein, was part of Bruges's busy outer harbour. The river was later canalised and made to continue until the center of town. Because of the idyllic surroundings it is mostly referred to as 'the lake of Love', the Dutch word 'Minne' meaning 'love'. The lake was used as a water reservoir, to keep the water of the canals at a constant level. Nowadays only the Gothic sluishuis (lockhouse) at the north end provides a clue to its far from tranquil past.
From the bridge (1740) which crosses the southern end of the basin waterside paths follow the line of the old town moat. The Poedertoren to the right of the bridge was built in 1398.
There exists a nice legend about the swans of Bruges. In 1488 the people of Bruges had executed one of the town administrators belonging to the court of Maximilian of Austria, husband and successor of duchess Mary of Burgundy. The town administrator was called 'Pieter Lanchals', a name which means ' long neck'. The Lanchals family coat of arms featured a white swan. Legend has it that Maximilian punished Bruges by obliging the population to keep swans on their lakes and canals till eternity.
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