Canada Bridge (Bruges)

 heritage, bridge, road bridge, architectural heritage

At the end of World War Bruges was liberated by the Manitoba Dragoons of the Canadian Army. They pulled into the city through Kristus-Koning (nineteenth-century neighbourhood northwest of the historic centre). The Canada Bridge, popularly known as the Bison Bridge or Buffalo Bridge, reminds the locals daily. This bridge was built by sculptor Octave Rotsaert adorned with two statues of bison, the symbol of Manitoba. The sculptures were combined with the bridge when officially opened on September 12, 1948, exactly four years after the liberation of the city. The dead are commemorated annually during the liberation celebrations. In 2009 the Canadian Bridge was made a provisionally protected architectural heritage.