In iconic locations such as the Minnewater, the Vismarkt, the Markt and the Gruuthusemuseum, an estimated 50 to 70 cobblestones are disappearing per month. And that figure may be even higher. Especially in busy tourist periods such as spring and summer, the phenomenon increases strikingly. “It is a Bruges tendency of the last two years that also takes place in other historic cities: in Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam, things disappear from the public domain such as street name signs, but also paving stones. The stones of Paris-Roubaix cycling race also appear to be a sought after item,” says ships of public domain.
Stones are – surprisingly by tourists – loosened and thus cause dangerous situations for other visitors. It is about at least 15 cobblestones a week that disappear.