Broel Bridge

Kortrijk, Belgium, Belgium

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The Broel Bridge (Dutch: Broelbrug) is a historic stone bridge in Kortrijk, Belgium, linking the two massive medieval Broel Towers on either side of the River Leie and forming one of the city’s most iconic postcard views.

Although a bridge in this location existed since the 12th century, the structure between the towers was officially opened in 1385 and subsequently rebuilt several times after destruction, with the current version consisting of three simple stone arches that harmonise with the towers’ medieval architecture.

The two towers flanking the bridge, known as the Broel Towers (Broeltorens), are the southern Speytorre (built 1385) and the northern Inghelburghtorre (built 1415); they were originally part of Kortrijk’s defensive walls and fortifications and, together with the artillery tower, are the last surviving fragments of the city’s medieval enclosure, the rest having been largely demolished in the 17th and 18th centuries and during the world wars.