Tuesday, May 27, 2025
As summer tourism surges across Europe, Belgium is grappling with an unexpected crisis in its historic city of Bruges—tourists are stealing cobblestones from its centuries-old streets. This alarming trend, driven by souvenir hunters unaware of the damage caused, is threatening the integrity of Bruges’ UNESCO World Heritage status. With 50 to 70 stones disappearing each month, the city has launched an urgent preservation drive to protect its iconic medieval charm, mitigate safety hazards, and curb the escalating costs of street restoration.
As summer draws travelers to Europe’s most picturesque destinations, the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium is facing an unusual and troubling challenge—tourists are literally taking pieces of its heritage home. Known globally for its cobbled streets, fairytale canals, and preserved Gothic architecture, Bruges is now grappling with a rising trend of cobblestone theft that threatens both the integrity of the city’s infrastructure and its cultural legacy.
Every year, millions of visitors are enchanted by Bruges’ timeless charm. They stroll along winding streets, snap photos of the scenic canals, and marvel at the city’s seamless preservation of its medieval roots. However, a growing number of tourists are also contributing to a serious problem by removing cobblestones as souvenirs. City authorities report that between 50 and 70 cobblestones are removed from Bruges’ historic streets each month, with the numbers rising sharply during peak tourism periods.
A Hidden Crisis in the Heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, Bruges has long been regarded as one of Europe’s most intact examples of medieval urban planning. Its ancient roadways, some of which date back centuries, form part of this cherished heritage. The removal of cobblestones undermines not only the city’s aesthetic appeal but also the safety and functionality of its pedestrian-focused streets.
City authorities have voiced concerns over the growing financial and safety implications of these acts. Restoring just one square meter of historic cobblestone paving can cost the city approximately €200. With dozens of stones disappearing monthly, the budget required for repairs quickly escalates—especially as city crews must constantly monitor and fill gaps to avoid trip hazards.
Loose or missing stones may not seem significant on an individual level, but collectively, they create structural vulnerabilities that can lead to injuries among both residents and tourists. Moreover, the frequent tampering accelerates wear and tear on already fragile paths, increasing the burden on local infrastructure teams who strive to maintain the historic charm that draws tourists in the first place.
The Romantic Allure That Brings Millions—and Trouble
Bruges is frequently dubbed the “Venice of the North” in homage to its picturesque canals that gracefully wind through the heart of the city. Its cobbled alleys, peaceful waterways, and stone bridges have long made it a romantic escape and a photographer’s dream. Whether it’s a scenic boat ride down the canals, a visit to the towering Belfry of Bruges, or the indulgence of Belgian chocolates and waffles in the town square, the city offers countless ways to delight visitors.
This popularity, however, is a double-edged sword. As more tourists arrive, especially during peak summer months, the pressure on Bruges’ historic infrastructure intensifies. While most visitors are respectful, a small percentage are drawn to the idea of taking home a “piece of history”—literally. Some remove cobblestones as keepsakes, unaware of the broader consequences or the legality of their actions. Others might believe they are taking a harmless souvenir, not realizing the significance of the item or the cost of its removal.
A Public Appeal for Respect and Responsibility
City leaders have launched a public appeal urging tourists to respect the integrity of Bruges’ heritage. The campaign aims to educate visitors on the importance of preservation and the impact of even minor acts of vandalism. This includes signage in multiple languages around popular tourist areas, social media campaigns, and information made available through tour operators and hotel partners.
Bruges’ preservation efforts go far beyond just repairing damaged streets. The city is also exploring technologies such as surveillance in high-traffic areas and motion-sensor alerts to detect unauthorized tampering. While no formal fines have been levied yet, the city is considering enforcement measures to curb this trend if the problem continues to escalate.
Local businesses, particularly those dependent on foot traffic, have voiced support for these efforts. Shops and cafés lining the historic streets report regular disruptions caused by uneven paths or closures for repair work, both of which affect their revenue and footfall. Encouraging tourists to act responsibly is as much an economic priority as it is a cultural one.
Balancing Access With Preservation
The situation in Bruges highlights a broader challenge faced by many historic cities: balancing accessibility and tourism with preservation. While tourism brings economic vitality and global recognition, it also poses threats to fragile environments and infrastructures.
In Bruges, where nearly every stone has a story, the importance of keeping those stones in place cannot be overstated. The very essence of the city’s charm lies in its authenticity. To walk its streets is to step back in time—but only if those streets remain intact.
Bruges is not alone in facing such challenges. Other European cities, including Venice, Dubrovnik, and Barcelona, have also implemented regulations and visitor management strategies in response to overtourism. From entrance fees to crowd control measures and restricted access to sensitive zones, cities are becoming increasingly proactive in protecting their heritage.
For Bruges, the situation is a reminder that heritage tourism must be sustainable. Cities like Bruges are built on the value of authenticity, and once the original stones are gone, that authenticity is forever diminished.
Why Visitors Should Leave No Trace
Tourism professionals and conservationists are encouraging a new model of travel behavior—one rooted in respect, education, and low impact. This includes leaving sites undisturbed, supporting local businesses, and following city guidelines.
Visitors to Bruges are encouraged to:
- Admire but not touch or take from the historic architecture.
- Use designated paths and avoid climbing on walls or monuments.
- Educate themselves about the city’s UNESCO status and what it entails.
- Share awareness online and in travel circles to discourage souvenir theft.
A successful tourism experience in Bruges isn’t about what you take home physically—it’s about the memories, photos, and cultural insights gained along the journey. By adopting a mindset of stewardship rather than consumption, travelers contribute positively to the preservation of global heritage.
A City Worth Protecting
As Bruges welcomes a busy summer tourism season, its call for preservation could not come at a more crucial time. The charm of this Belgian gem lies in its cobbled walkways, medieval churches, and the tranquil rhythm of boats gliding down its canals—not in cobblestones taken as mementos. Each stone that remains helps preserve the immersive, historical atmosphere that makes Bruges one of Europe’s most beloved cities.
The city’s message to the world is simple yet powerful: admire the history, but leave it where it belongs.
Belgium is confronting a growing wave of cobblestone thefts in Bruges, where visitors have been removing stones from the city’s UNESCO-protected streets, sparking an emergency effort to safeguard its medieval character and reduce safety risks.
The theft of cobblestones in Bruges, Belgium, is becoming a serious issue as summer tourism peaks. With an estimated 50 to 70 stones stolen monthly, local authorities are appealing to tourists to preserve the city’s UNESCO-recognized heritage. The loss not only imposes a financial burden on the city but also creates public safety risks. Through public campaigns and possible security interventions, Bruges hopes to curb the trend and protect its storybook streets for future generations.
