Once upon a time, this place was a bustling harbor where trade was in full swing, ships were unloaded and loaded, busy merchants rushed to and fro. In the exchange building, transactions were made, and customs duties were paid. This routine had continued until part of the shipping channel was closed due to shallowing at the end of the 18th century. The square that appeared on this place was initially called Academic as the Academy of Arts was located nearby. In 1856, it received the name of Jan van Eyck, a prominent representative of Flemish painting, when a monument to him made by the local sculptor Hendrik Pickery appeared there. The famous artist lived in Bruges for the last ten years of his life, died, and was buried there. By the way, the museums of the city keep several of his works. The monument depicts the middle-aged artist, ironic and slightly arrogant, in the same turban-like headdress as in his famous self-portrait. He holds a brush in one hand and an unfinished piece of work in the other. The modesty of the statue makes the whole square look very cozy.

The architectural decoration of the square is the 15th-century building of Poortersloge. Firstly, it was a building of the Burghers' Lodge, which gathered the most famous citizens of Bruges. Later, it housed the Academy of Fine Arts. And now there is the state archive. If you look closely at the facade, you can see the sculpture of a bear: it was presented to the assembly of honorable citizens of Bruges. There is also the customs building, another building of the 15th century made of white stone and decorated with the coat of arms of Peter of Luxembourg. At that time, he had the exclusive right to collect customs duties in Bruges. Near the house are small buildings occupied by various guilds, such as porters or tailors.

Even though Jan van Eyck Square is only 300 meters from the main Market Square, there are always much fewer tourists here. So you can enjoy the smooth surface of the canal and the proud curves of Bruges' bridges in relative silence.