There's no shortage of notable churches in Bruges, but as there's also no shortage of other places to see, you probably won't want to spend all your time visiting them. Anyone with a particular interest in churches, however, should try to visit a few of these.
The magnificent Sint-Walburgakerk (St. Walburga's Church), in Sint-Maartensplein, dating from the period 1619 to 1643, is one of the few baroque monuments in this Gothic-fixated city. It has a satisfying amount of marble and a notable altar, pulpit, and communion bench. Sint-Walburgakerk was the Jesuit church of Bruges until 1774.
The wealthy merchant Adornes family constructed the Jeruzalemkerk (Jerusalem Church), Peperstraat 3 (tel. 050/33-00-72), beside the Lace Center , between 1471 and 1483, along the lines of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. A replica of Christ's Tomb is in the crypt underneath the choir. The church is open Monday to Friday from 10am to noon and 2 to 6pm, and Saturday from 10am to noon and 2 to 5pm. Admission to the Lace Center allows you to visit this church as well.
Also owing much of its ornamentation to wealthy benefactors is Sint-Jakobskerk (St. James's Church), in Sint-Jakobsplein. This heavy-looking 15th-century Gothic construction has an intricately carved wooden pulpit, with figures at the base representing the continents.
Founded in 1276 as a hospice, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ter Potterie (Our Lady of the Pottery), Potterierei 78-79, is now a home for seniors. Today part of it houses the Potterie Museum (tel. 050/44-87-11), which has a collection of tapestries, 15th- to 17th-century furniture, silverware, religious objects, and books, and early Flemish paintings. The adjoining 14th-century church, with a fine baroque interior, was the Potters Guild chapel. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30 to 5pm (open Easter Monday and Pentecost Monday; closed Jan 1, Ascension Day [fifth Thurs after Easter] afternoon, and Dec 25). Admission is 2.50€ ($3.15) for adults, 1.50€ ($1.90) for seniors and ages 13 to 26, and free for children under 13.
