* introduction *

bruges is located in belgiums western area, in the flemish region. it is about 13 km away from the ocean. its population is 120000 residents, meaning, compared to bruxelles, anvers and gand it is a small city

yet it is as famous as the other belgian cities, and this essay shall outline why this is the case.

* bruges' history *

brief list of main events:
// 50 b.c. first military settlement, following caesar's gallic war
// 406 overtaken by the franks
// 850 (circa) incursion by vikings
// 950 (circa) fortified village with church established
// 1050 (circa) its ocean link, in the zwiin estuary, begins to silten
// 1089 bruges becomes capital of county of flanders
// 1128 gained city charter
// 1250 (circa) bruges becomes member of hanseatic trade liga
// 1300 wool weaving and production of cloth become the strength of bruges
// 1460 (circa) merchant ships cannot go to bruges anymore
// 1500 weavers and spinners of bruges rated as best in the world

this historic painting shows bruge in 1572 - for protection, the city was completely surrounded by a ring of channels.

// 1600 heavy decline of bruges' importance, anvers (antwerpen) took over as leading city
// 1850 (circa) bruges becomes a significant tourist destination
// 1907 harbor city zeebrugge founded, became large after ww-2
// 1916-1918 in ww-1 bruges was occupied by german army, but not much damaged
// 1940-1944 same situation in ww-2, bruges was liberated by canadian troops
// 1965 (circa) strong renovation efforts in bruges' historic quarters
// 2000 "historic centre of bruges" declared by unesco as world heritage site

* features of bruges *

this cartoon shows that the channel system around the inner city is still existing, and that bruges has still many waterways in its city.

>>> famous buildings

the three most prominent buildings are the belfry, 83 m high, a tower for the city bells, the town hall, and the "church of our lady", all erected in bruges' "golden age", which lasted from the 12th to the 15th century.

the next two images show two typical features, namely two of the many bridges (which gave bruges its name!), and the common exploration of the inner city by boat.

>>> city center

here is a historic image of the inner city, with the "burgh" place as center, the nearby belfry tower, and channels.

all the historic town houses are artfully designed, and rich in colour.

and bridges are almost everywhere part of the town structure.

>>> historic architecture

just two pics, one as an example how houses were built in bruges' early time, and one showing a 'very dutch' building in bruges, a windmill.

>>> people

of course there are very very many, mostly flemish (dutch), but quite a few of french background as well. so here is just one 'belgian' lady - - and a truly belgian temperament as well, enjoying food and a glass of wine.

>>> shopping

not easy - far too many things on offer. whatsoever, one things is an absolute must: chocolet!
belgium claims indeed to be the chocolet king&queen of the world.

>>> city art

firstly, almost all classical houses are a piece of art, certainly the ones on the historic city square.

secondly, many excellent painters have lived in bruges, such as gerard davis, hans memling and jan van eyck. below is one of memlings grand religious works.

and art deco also florished in bruges, for example in the design of houses.

in spite of bruges' image as a center of medieval art, modern art is vivid as well,, as in these possibly weird metal designs.

> how to get to bruges <

that's easy, by trains, by buses, by planes. regarding trains, bruges is linked to antwerp and bruessels with modern passenger trains. for ships its harbour city zeebrugge is used

at the end of this essay of bruges, here is its cute coat of arms - which ignores that bruges originally achieved its fame as a harbor city!

that fame is actually well-deserved - bruges is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in europe. there are lots of good reasons to visit this unique city.