The Tolhuis

Despite its ornate façade, the Tolhuis often goes unnoticed, but it’s one of the square’s hidden gems. To make sure you’ve got the right building, look for the only one with a small flight of steps before its entrance. See it? Originally built in the 13th century as the home of a wealthy merchant, the building took on its defining role a century later. Back when Bruges was a bustling maritime hub and a key stop for merchants from across Europe, this building was repurposed for collecting tolls. These were fees charged for goods being brought into the city. It was a private concession, run under the authority of Count Pierre of Luxembourg. His coat of arms can still be seen above the entrance. The Tolhuis collected tolls until the 19th century. The city purchased the building over 250 years ago, and gave it a new purpose, serving as a fire station, and was later as the provincial library. Today, it houses thousands of books and manuscripts that preserve the rich history of Bruges.