Since 1955, this former palace has been a museum of decorative arts, recalling life as lived – mainly by the high and mighty – in Bruges from the 13th – 19th cebtury, There are 2,500 objects in the house, including paintings, sculptures, musical instruments, lace silk, tapestries, furniture, weapons and glassware. Highlights include the upper-floor oratory, a 1520 bust of the young Charles V and a guillotine (which was used). *

The oratory was my favourite room, the view was quite fascinating:

Lodewijk van Gruuthuses’s oak-panelled Gothic oratory dates from 1472. this is a private chapel that abuts the adjacent Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, and afforded Lodewijk and his family and undisturbed, overhead view of the altar and the tombs of Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy and his daughter Duchess Mary. the family’s motto, Plus Est En Vous (There Is More In You), can be seen above an arch in the ornate reception hall. *

*From Insight Guides Bruges – Smart Guide

This photo was taken in the courtyard outside the Gruuthuse Museum which we visited after the rest of the walking tour was postponed.  I think this picture illustrates just how much rain their actually was.  I will be posting more information on the museum in the next few days.

This photo marks the half way point of my 100 reasons to be glad.  I fully intended to post all 100 photos this year, but circumstances have overtaken me.  My year started with sad complications and one way or another the complications have increased over the year.  I have so many thoughts, ideas, photos in my head but my time for putting them on paper has been taken over by events.

I even have my next 100 photos challenge lined up in my head, which is a different challengefor me, but now I am getting ahead of myself…