The city of Bruges wants to keep its cobblestones. The city, which is one of Belgium’s main tourist destinations, asks visitors to stop eliminating the streets from the streets to take them home.
The local representative Franky Demon estimated with the American CNN channel this Saturday, May 24 that 50 to 70 cobblestones disappeared every month, or even more during the high season. However, the induced work to replace them costs 200 euros per square meter, he said. The elected official sees it “lack of respect for our common heritage.”
“Although some may consider this as harmless or eccentric, the consequences are serious,” Franky Demon said in CNN.
“The elimination of cobblestones has an obvious risk for the safety of residents and visitors. The missing or non -healthy stones create tropiez risks, and municipal workers must be sent frequently at the site to make repairs,” he added.
Cobblestones that “are part of the soul” of witches
“We only ask for respect. Walking in Bruges is going through centuries of history,” said the local elected official. “These cobblestones are not simple pieces of stone, they are part of the soul of our city. We invite visitors to enjoy witches, but to leave their beauty intact for others.”
The Historic Center of Bruges appears as a Unesco World Heritage site, which describes it as an “exceptional example of medieval habitat that has preserved its historical urban fabric well.”
Nicknamed the “North Venice” due to its channels, Bruges welcomed more than 8 million visitors in 2023 for less than 120,000 inhabitants, according to the city’s tourist office. “Tourism brings advantages and challenges, and we are aware of it,” said the Bourgmestre Dirk of Fauw in February.
Source: BFM TV
