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Hidden Gems ·  4 min 

# Minnewater: The So-Called 'Lake of Love'

The name is misleading. The history is better.

![Minnewater: The So-Called 'Lake of Love'](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1694725409049-0fd1320ad93d?w=800&q=80)

Every guidebook calls Minnewater the "Lake of Love." The name actually comes from "Minne," which in old Dutch referred to an inner harbour — nothing to do with romance.

The lake was originally part of the harbour system that connected Bruges to the sea via canals. Today the lake is home to a colony of swans.

The park around Minnewater is one of the nicest spots in Bruges for a quiet walk. In spring the edges of the lake fill with daffodils and cherry blossoms. It connects directly to the Begijnhof, so you can do both in a single stroll.

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