Bruges - Belgium

QUICK FACTS

Population: 117,000

Capital City? No

Region: Capital and the largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish region of Belgium



SHORT HISTORY

Bruges was an important city back in the 13th-17th century, when it was one of the principal trading stations of the Hanseatic League (a trading union in Northern Europe, reaching all the way up to Norway and out to London). It was a centre of Flemish textile trade, an internationally renowned product.

In the 15th century, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, set up court in Bruges, attracting a number of artists, bankers, and other prominent personalities, and the population swelled. The weavers and spinners there were considered among the best in the world.

But, in around 1500, the Zwin channel, which had given the city its prosperity, started silting. The city soon fell behind Antwerp as the economic flagship of the Low Countries. By the mid 19th century, Bruges was the poorest city in Belgium.

Only in the second half of the twentieth century has the city started to reclaim some of its past glory. The port of Zeebrugge was built in 1907, it was greatly expanded in the 1970s and early 1980s and has become one of Europe's most important and modern ports due to its location on the North Sea (busiest sea in the world), its proximity to Great Britain as well as proximity to so many other European cities. International tourism has boomed (thanks in part to its medieval appearance and perhaps a recent movie?)


AROUND TOWN

Bruges Old Town: a UNESCO World Heritage Sight.

Burg Square: The Gothic Town Hall is found in this square, beside the Renaissance Civil Registry, and a Baroque Deanery (used to house the former Deans of the Church). There used to be a castle and a church here, but both fell into disrepair (the church was destroyed during the French invasions of the Spanish Netherlands).

Chapel of the Holy Blood: Dates back to the 12th century, but reconstructed over the years, it contains a bottle that dates back to that time as well, brought to Bruges from Constantinople, possibly containing Jesus’ blood. The Procession of the Holy Blood takes place every year in May, with the citizens of Bruges parading through the streets dressed in historical costumes.

Market Square: the commercial heart of the city in Medieval times, it holds the Belfry Tower, the Cloth Hall and the Provincial Court (which stands in the place where the Water Halls used to be, where traders would come to trade their goods).
Statues of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck: Located in the center of the Market, the statue not only honors these two leaders of the 'Battle of the Golden Spurs' an uprising by the Flemish against the French King, which took place in 1302, it is perhaps more so a clear statement of the political leaders of the 1880's that the cause for Flemish emancipation was something that the Belgian government had to take notice of.

Church of Our Lady: Located in the old town, its brick spire reaches over 400 feet, making it one of the world’s highest brick buildings. Inside you’ll find the sculpture Madonna and Child, believed to be Michelangelo’s only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.

 

TRIVIA

-The first English book ever printed was printed in Bruges by William Caxton

-Bruges has a chocolate museum, a Belgian fry museum, and a big shop to buy all things TinTin!

-Nowadays no commercial ships sail on Bruges’ canals; they are used exclusively for tourist boats.