Poortersloge (Burgher's Lodge), Brugge

The Burgher's Lodge (Poortersloge), located on Jan van Eycksquare in Bruges, stands out as one of the city's most notable historical buildings. Constructed towards the end of the 14th century and into the early 15th century, this structure was positioned in Bruges' bustling commercial core, an area critical for international trade. Ships would be loaded and unloaded nearby, and the surrounding region hosted nationhouses representing key trading partners as well as a neighboring toll house where goods were processed and taxed.

Serving as a hub for the city's prominent citizens, known as "poorters," the Burgher's Lodge was a vital meeting place where these influential individuals convened and engaged with their trading counterparts. Additionally, it was the headquarters of the Society of the White Bear, a detail commemorated by the Bear of the Loggia statue located on its facade at the corner of Academiestraat.

The building experienced significant damage due to a fire in 1755 but was meticulously restored later in the 18th century to its original medieval form, a restoration noted by a cartouche on the facade. The Burgher's Lodge has served multiple purposes over the centuries: from 1720, it functioned as an academy for Fine Arts, and from 1912 to 2012, it housed the National Archives. In 2014, the municipality of Bruges repurchased the building from the state, marking a new chapter in its storied history.

Today, the Burgher's Lodge remains a symbol of Bruges' rich heritage and continues to be an important architectural and historical site within the city.