City Hall, a photo from West-Vlaanderen, Flanders

Photographer's Note

I am already bored with my Egptian photos, so, like others, I will look for something in my archives.

It seemed to me that there were no photos of this City Hall in Damme, but I was wrong. There are some. But it was already uploaded, so let it be. From Bruges, I went by the boat Lamme Goedzak, with fine views of the canal, so known from many John's photos. There was a short stay in Damme but long enough to go to the city centre. This is City Hall. I recognise the flags of UE and Belgium, but I do not know the others.

Some information from http://www.damme-online.com/gb/buildings/other/townhall.htm

The present town hall was built in 1464 on the place where the hall stood before. At the frontside there are 6 niche statues that represent persons that were important in the history of the town: Filips of the Alsace, Johanna of Constantinopel, Margareta of Constantinopel, Phillips de Thiette, Charles (the Temerary) and Margareta of York. (two Margaretas, how nice).
The building is crowned with a nice little tower in which a carillon with 25 bells is placed, a sun-dial and a timepiece from 1459 (the oldest towerwatch in Belgium?). Indeed: a watch and a sun-dial! Maybee our ancestors didn't want to loose track of time? Damme already had a towerwatch in 1392! The two oldest bells from Flanders can also be found in the town hall, namely: the "Zegeklok" (Bells of Victory) from 1398 and the "klok der Neringen" (Bells of Trade) from 1392.

Outside, on the rightcorner there are still 2 stones of justice. These stones had to be carried by convicted women as a matter of penitence. Only the women? What about the men?

I hope you will like Damme also from me. Two more photos in Workshops. One is another view, the other is a gift for Luciano: this red bright vespa stood near the City Hall.

jhm, pierrefonds, holmertz, ikeharel, jean113, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, jemaflor, ChrisJ, adramad, aliabazari, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (222779) 2022-02-07 3:57

Ciao cara Malgo, great perspective on fantastic city hall, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jhm (211738) 2022-02-07 5:00

Hello Malgo,

The city where I come almost four time to week, with my bicycle.
This was a visit during your visit a Bruges, were you later brought a visit the War museum, with thank for your translations. I am also stopt through my high age.
Normally can also bring a visit to the church tower, you can see to the Belgian coast, I've different pictures posted, city hall and surroundings. Self's my two last picturesare of Damme.
I look with pleasure to this nice city hall of the small city Damme.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

pierrefonds (115436) 2022-02-07 5:02

Hi Malgo,

The flags are eye-catching. The point of view is showing the details of the City Hall of Damme. The light is giving a good colors output. Have a nice day.

Pierre

holmertz (103540) 2022-02-07 5:44

Hello Malgo,
Nice buildings in the main photo and one WS, a very nice "lady in red" in the other WS. The flags brighten the cloudy day. They represent, left to right: Damme, EU, Belgium, Flanders region, West Flanders province. Easily researched in 2 minutes. ;-)
Kind regards,
Gert

jean113 (28249) 2022-02-07 6:51

Hello Malgo, a good view of the town hall, a very typical Bruges building.
The flags add a nice touch of colour on a grey day.
Informative notes. Thanks for the extra shots.
Kind regards, Jean.

Royaldevon (86364) 2022-02-07 7:11

Hello Malgo,

This is an excellent photograph of the City Hall and you give useful, closer details of the buildings at the top, as a workshop.
The building looks important with towers, stepped roof and statues on the facade. Extra importance is offered by including the flags, flying importantly in the f/g.

I imagine there will be people who will appreciate the Vespa far more than an historic building!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

lousat (139914) 2022-02-07 12:11

Ciao Malgo,another jump in the archive but i'm sure that you're thinking to a new trip despite the pandemic crisis..ehehe..beautiful view of toen hall and houses in the WS, but obviously i'm proude to see a symbol of italian style in the other WS, a lovely red Vespa, still working and well preserved. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

COSTANTINO (117672) 2022-02-07 13:12

Hello my dearest friend Malgorzata
have a nice new day
your archives are really too rich
and you have a great number
of beautiful worthseeing photos...
I red carefully your useful notes
about the fine views of the canal
and thanks for this trip with you
regards
Costantino

ifege (49297) 2022-02-07 20:24

Hi Malgo
A definite change from Egypt with this cute city hall and our photo club has a competition with the theme of red next week. You WS scooter would be a prefect entry (if you were a member of course).
cheers
Ian

abmdsudi (95869) 2022-02-07 22:04

Hi Malgorzata
Simply cant resist the pulling power of the appealing architecture and its grandeur, superbly detailed with excellent clarity taken from a well chosen viewpoint. This is a pleasant shot and good treatment to the eyes enhancing the visual aspect of the capture.
Best regards

PaulVDV (63440) 2022-02-07 22:14

Hello Malgo,
Yes, the building in your WS is the Tijl Uilenspiegelmuseum. I see on their website that they translated the name in different languages: Tyll Owlglass Museum, Till Eulenspiegelmuseum, Mus嶪 d'Ulenspiegel.
Very strange translations ... Especially the English one. When you search on internet for Owlglass, you will see that https://www.lexico.coma even comes to the wrong conclusion that the person is someone from a German legend...
Only the German name Eulenspiegel appears to be a correct translation of the Flemish word. In French, only the sound was imitated...
As for the flags, Gert has given the correct answer. However, many people in Belgium are not familiar with the flags of the provinces. For most of us the flags of the country and of the three regions are important. I even wonder how many people know the flag of their municipality.
I think I also once showed a photo of the town hall of Damme. It's a beautiful building. However, it's hard to take a picture of it without cars or motorcycles in the foreground.
The weather wasn't in your favour but you still got a good picture of it.
Best regards, Paul

jemaflor (148124) 2022-02-07 23:09

Hi Malgo,
Interesting architecture style, welll photographed, good details with the colors of fglags, good quality, tfs.

ChrisJ (172378) 2022-02-08 4:36

Hi Malgo

This Belgian town is quite picturesque. Good sharpness and diffused light. The 5 flags add a splash of bright colours. Tfs!

adramad (73410) 2022-02-08 9:22

Hi Malgo.
This wonderful building of the City Hall of Damme, built in the Gothic period, highlights its double staircase and on the facade its beautiful windows and the sculptures between them, the flags give a nice note of color
The two beautiful compositions of the WS are appreciated.
An image to enjoy, with its beautiful color, great luminosity and perfect sharpness.
Very well done, I love it and I enjoy it.
Have a great day.
Luis

aliabazari (23143) 2022-02-08 20:24

Hello Malgorzata
Beautiful view of the historical place. Architecture stands out at the best point of the image. Excellent combination of flags. Good sharpness and exposure. Thanks for sharing

jmdias (116341) 2022-02-09 10:52

malgo

nice views with the main post showing a nice sample of architecture. these flags broke the grey aspect of the compo. the red is ever interesting is vehicles.

take care

jorge

mcmtanyel (69101) 2022-02-10 19:12

Hello Malgo,
It is a cute little building. I like the various flags lined up. And yes, the little red scooter is a beauty.
Regards,
MT