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- View from the Rozenhoedkaai in Bruges.
- Water town in Belgium.
- Historical view of old Bruges Belgium and canals from Rozenhoedkaai with view of Belfry of Bruges.
- Grote Markt.
Sep 10, 2023 · Bruges, often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” is a postcard-perfect medieval city located in the northwest part of Belgium. It’s situated in the Flanders region, known for its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and meandering canals. Bruges is actually really easy to get to.
Bruges’ historic city centre. The entire historic centre of Bruges is a designated World Heritage site. This is especially unusual and there are a number of reasons behind it. Both the structure and the architecture of the city point to Bruges’ prominent past as one of Europe’s most significant trade centres, from the unique pattern of ...
Bruges, Belgium. Historic city center of Brugge, evening sunset Bruges, Belgium. Historic city center of Brugge, West Flanders province. Evening sunset with ancient medieval architecture of Bruges old town. Canals and stone paving streets cityscape. bruges stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
- Overview
- HOW TO VISIT
- Related: Beautiful European World Heritage Sites
Explore historic canals, stone bridges, and Gothic architecture in this well-preserved historic center.
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A visitor to the historic center of Brugge, commonly spelled Bruges, can easily imagine a time when this picturesque Flemish town was bustling with merchants and traders from all corners of Europe, a place where bankers rubbed shoulders with painters and holy men.
The city in northwestern Belgium’s Flanders region was once a major nexus of trade in medieval Europe, and of art and architecture during the Renaissance. Brugge’s historic center has retained its character through the centuries and is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It represents one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval European settlement.
First settled by Vikings in the early Middle Ages, the town’s strategic location on the North Sea helped it become a major commercial center, where traders from northern and southern Europe met, bringing a hodgepodge of languages and cultural influences. The area’s wealth was further boosted by the thriving Flemish textile industry. The city became known also as a center of the Flemish Primitives painting school and home to masters including Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling.
Over the years, however, the city’s fortunes turned. The Zwin inlet, which connected Brugge to the North Sea and had first opened after a storm in the 12th century, began to fill up with silt. Ultimately the passage became unnavigable, and Brugge was cut off from the sea. By the 1500s, Antwerp had supplanted Brugge as a trading center.
Brugge can be done as a day trip from Brussels and is accessible by train, bus, and car. The city is easily explored on foot. Boat and carriage tours are available, as are rental bicycles. Key sites in the heart of the city include Market Square and the belfry, the Groeninge Museum, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. For those wishing to ascend the belfry, it’s best to come early, as lines become quite long later in the day.
Belgium has a temperate climate through most of the year, but to avoid both the winter rain and the crowds of peak summer months, consider going in April, May, or September.
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This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the latest submissions and news about the community.
Brugge city center at sunset, Flanders region, Belgium Scenic view of historical Brugge city center with famous Jan van Eyck square in beautiful golden evening light, Flanders region, Belgium bruges city stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
Brief synthesis. The Historic Centre of Brugge is an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble, illustrating significant stages in the commercial and cultural fields in medieval Europe. Brugge in medieval times was known as a commercial metropolis in the heart of Europe. The city reflects a considerable exchange of influences on the ...
