Bruges Emperor Charles Chimney restored  for €550k 

Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Emperor Charles Chimney (1529) in Bruges was restored for €550,000 to remove wood-boring beetles. Experts used microwave treatment and oxygen-free rooms. The Brugse Vrije museum reopens April 5, 2025. Pieter Marchal (CD&V) emphasized its historical value.

The Emperor Charles Chimney (1529) in Bruges was restored for €550,000 to remove wood-boring beetles. To fix the Emperor Charles Chimney in Bruges, experts took part. They used a special microwave treatment.

The microwave heats the wood to a certain temperature, killing the beetle larvae without affecting the chimney.  Other parts were put in a special room where all the oxygen was removed and replaced with nitrogen.  This kills the bugs but doesn’t harm the artwork. The restoration was finished after 7 months.

Thanks to the approach of various restoration experts, not only was the damage repaired, but the Brugse Vrije is once again a showcase of our rich past,

says heritage councillor Pieter Marchal (CD&V).

This shows how important it is to invest in our historical heritage.

Did experts uncover 1529 sculptures while restoring Bruges’ Emperor Charles Chimney?

According to the officials, while fixing the Emperor Charles Chimney, experts took a close look at the sculptures on the mantelpiece. Old records said the statues were damaged and replaced a long time ago.  They also said some crowns were missing. The original sculptures from 1529 were still there. 

Officials mentioned that the people who fixed the chimney in the 1800s did such a good job that even experts thought the statues were new. The missing crowns were put back so well that no one could see they were fixed. 

The aldermen’s room at the Brugse Vrije museum, where Emperor Charles Chimney is, will open to the public again on April 5th, 2025. Officials mentioned that visitors can now see the chimney with its beautiful Renaissance decorations and the amazing 19th-century restoration that was hidden for a long time. 

The room will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. People who like history, art, and travelling can come to see this Renaissance artwork. Officials said that this reopening is a big step for keeping Bruges’ cultural heritage safe so that people in the future can see this special piece of history.

The Emperor Charles Chimney in Bruges is a beautiful Renaissance artwork from 1529. Officials mentioned that it’s a really important piece of history and art.  But, there was a problem,  tiny bugs called wood-boring beetles were eating away at the chimney and the attic above it. These beetles lay eggs in the wood, and their babies burrow deep inside, destroying the wood. 

The city of Bruges knew they had to act fast to save this.  So, they started a big restoration project in September 2024 to get rid of the beetles.  The experts are using special methods to get rid of the bugs without damaging the wood.