The Story 

When you descend into Le Trappiste today, you are not simply entering a bar. You are stepping into a piece of Bruges' history that has remained hidden beneath Kuipersstraat for more than seven centuries.

In the 13th century, this neighborhood was home to the coopers, skilled craftsmen who made wooden barrels for beer, wine, oil, and countless other goods. At a time when glass was rare and expensive, virtually all liquids were stored and transported in wooden casks. The barrels were crafted above ground, while this cellar served as their storage place.

If you look carefully, you are not standing on the original floor. The original floor lies approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet) below the current one. This was no coincidence: the extra height allowed heavy barrels to be stacked on top of one another, creating ample storage space for valuable goods.

Over the centuries, the building changed hands many times. In the early 16th century, it belonged to Joseph van Ockerhout, a master mason whose name already appeared in Bruges' historical records. At some point, the cellar lost its original purpose and was eventually sealed off and forgotten.

For centuries, it remained hidden from the world.

That changed in 1973, when demolition work on the building above unexpectedly revealed the cellar once again. New apartments were constructed on the site, but the historical value of this place was considered too important to lose. The protected early 18th-century façade was preserved, and the cellar was saved for future generations.

Even then, Bruges was making great efforts to protect its historic character. Today, the city's medieval center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and strict regulations help preserve its unique architectural and cultural heritage.

Thanks to that commitment, you can now enjoy a fine Belgian beer in a place where barrels were once stacked high, merchants passed through, and everyday life unfolded in medieval Bruges.

Every stone in this cellar has a story to tell.

Welcome to Le Trappiste. 🍺🏰