Bruges Carillon Goes Silent to Prepare New BRUSK Melody for Easter
The historic chimes of the Belfort (Belfry) in Bruges are temporarily pausing. From March 5th to April 4th, the automated carillon will be silent to undergo its biennial maintenance and tuning process, known locally as the "great retuning."
This traditional, manual process involves adjusting and cleaning the pins on the massive carillon drum. When the system restarts on Easter Sunday, April 5th, visitors and locals will be treated to four brand-new melodies echoing across the city.
How the Belfry's New Melodies Celebrate BRUSK in Bruges
The upcoming musical rotation bridges the city's medieval heritage with its modern cultural scene. Notably, the melody chosen for the quarter-past-the-hour chime is the main theme from "BRUSK forms in motions." This piece, composed by Patrick Hamilton, was written specifically for the opening of BRUSK, Bruges' contemporary exhibition hall.
The three other new melodies scheduled to debut on Easter Sunday include:
- On the hour: Allegretto by Johan A.W. Wagenaar, a Romantic-era classical piece.
- On the half-hour: Grandfather’s Clock by Henry Clay Work, a globally recognized tune.
- Quarter to the hour: Andante from Symphony 94 (the Surprise Symphony) by Joseph Haydn, selected to highlight the carillon's deepest bass bell.
What to Expect During the Silence: Live Recitals in Bruges
While the automatic mechanism remains quiet during the month-long maintenance period, the belfry will not be entirely silent. Visitors can still experience live music performed by the city carillonneur, Wim Berteloot.
These live performances will take place on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 to 12:00. The only exception to this schedule is the week immediately preceding Easter, traditionally referred to as the "silent week," during which no live recitals will occur.
If you are planning a visit to explore the city's historic streets and modern art spaces, let Musemap (musemap.art) help guide your journey. You can seamlessly browse local museums or check the latest schedule of changing exhibitions to plan your perfect cultural itinerary.
