Lace - Belgium

Legend has it that lace was invented by a woman who, while resting under a tree, saw the sky go pitch black and a clutter of spiders swoop down upon her hair. As a result of their frantic milling around a web was produced representing gracious faces, flowers, birds and delicate ornaments. Be that as it may, this art form, originating in Venice, exploded in popularity in The Netherlands between the 17th and 18th centuries and demand from the Royal Courts never dried up. It was at the time an individual activity, executed at home by women already weighed down by household chores. Still today, at the Lace Museum, one can admire the finger gymnastics involved in making bobbin lace, invented in Bruges. It is rare though today to find anyone who can produce 'point de fée', or 'fairy stitching', necessitating as it does between 300 and 700 spindles.

Bruges was once considered the Lace Town and in the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, there were still several lace schools in the town. Still today the tradition and know-how persist and lace is sold in many a shop.

  The Church of Our Lady