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For other uses, see Bruges (disambiguation). Bruges may refer to Bruges (Dutch Brugge) city in Belgium Bruges Gironde, France Bruges Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Municipal flag Bruges
Brugge (Dutch)
A canal in Bruges
 
Location on map of Belgium
Coat of arms Location of Bruges in West Flanders
Geography
Country Belgium
Region Flag of Flanders Flemish Region
Community Flag of Flanders Flemish Community
Province Flag of West Flanders West Flanders
Arrondissement Bruges
Coordinates 51°13′N 3°14′E / 51.217, 3.233Coordinates: 51°13′N 3°14′E / 51.217, 3.233
Area 138. Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Belgium is a federal state comprising three communities, three regions, and four language areas. The Flemish Region ( Dutch: Vlaams Gewest) is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium alongside the Walloon Region Belgium is a federal state comprising three communities, three regions, and four language areas. The term Flemish Community has two distinct though related meanings Culturally and sociologically it refers to Flemish organizations media social and cultural Belgium is divided into three regions two of them are subdivided into five Provinces each West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region also named Flanders, in Belgium. The federalized country Belgium geographically consists of 3 regions of which only Flemish Region and Walloon Region are subdivided into 5 provinces The Arrondissement of Bruges (Arrondissement Brugge Arrondissement de Bruges is one of the eight administrative arrondissements in the Province of West A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 40 km²
Population (Source: NIS)
Population
– Males
– Females
- Density		 117,224 (January 1, 2006)
48. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Statistics Belgium is the main official statistical institution in Belgium offering a large choice of figures In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. 43%
51. 57%
847 inhab. /km²
Age distribution
0–19 years
20–64 years
65+ years		 (01/01/2006)
20. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of A population pyramid, also called age-sex pyramid and age structure diagram, is a graphical illustration that shows the distribution of various age groups in a 57%
59. 34%
20. 09%
Foreigners 3. Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term 52% (01/01/2007)
Economy
Unemployment rate 7. Unemployment occurs when a person is available to work and currently seeking work but the person is without work. 40% (January 1, 2006)
Mean annual income 13,617 €/pers. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. (2003)
Government
Mayor Patrick Moenaert (CD&V)
Governing parties CD&V, SP.A-Spirit, VLD
Other information
Postal codes 8000, 8200, 8310, 8380
Area codes 050
Web address www.brugge.be

Bruges (Dutch: Brugge) is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V (Christian Democratic and Flemish is a Flemish Community of Belgium Political party, formerly called Christian A coalition is an alliance among individuals during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own Self-interest. Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V (Christian Democratic and Flemish is a Flemish Community of Belgium Political party, formerly called Christian The spa-SPIRIT is a coalition between the Flemish parties Socialist Party – Different and Spirit. The Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten or OpenVLD ( Flemish Liberals and Democrats) is a Flemish liberal party, created in 1992 Belgian postal codes are numeric and consist of 4 numbers although the last one is often zero A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname Belgium is divided into three regions two of them are subdivided into five Provinces each West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen is the westernmost province of the Flemish Region also named Flanders, in Belgium. The Flemish Region ( Dutch: Vlaams Gewest) is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium alongside the Walloon Region The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those It is located in the northwest of the country.

The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 It is egg-shaped and about 430 hectares in size. Explanation The hectare is commonly used in most countries around the world especially in domains concerned with land planning and management such as Agriculture, The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares, including 193. 7 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge ("Seabruges" in literal translation). Zeebrugge ( Dutch: Zeebrugge, French: Zeebruges, "Seabruges" in literal translation is a village on the coast of Belgium The city's total population is more than 117,000, of which around 20,000 live in the historic centre.

Bruges has a significant economic importance, thanks to its port, and is also home to the College of Europe. Bruges (Brugge is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. History The origins of the College date back to the Hague Congress in 1948 when Salvador de Madariaga, a Spanish statesman thinker and writer

Contents

History

Origins

The Grote Markt ("Big Market square")
The Grote Markt ("Big Market square")

Very few traces of human activity date from the Pre-Roman Gaul era. Gaul (Gallia was the Roman name for the region of Western Europe comprising present day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western The first fortifications were built after Julius Caesar's conquest of the Menapii in the first century BC, to protect the coastal area against pirates. The Menapii were a Belgic tribe of northern Gaul in pre-Roman and Roman times The Franks took over the whole region from the Gallo Romans around the 4th century and administered it as the Pagus Flandrensis. The Franks or Frankish people (Franci or gens Francorum) were West Germanic tribes first identified in the 3rd century as an Ethnic group As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 4th century (per the Julian calendar and Anno Domini / Common era) was that Century In the later Western Roman Empire, following the reorganization of Diocletian, a pagus (compare French pays, Spanish pago The Viking incursions of the ninth century prompted Baldwin I, Count of Flanders to reinforce the Roman fortifications; trade soon resumed with England and Scandinavia. A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas Baldwin I (probably born 830s died 879 also known as Baldwin Iron Arm (the epithet is first recorded in the 12th century was the first Count of Flanders. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well It is at around this time that coins appeared for the first time bearing the name Bryggia. This name may stem from the Old Norse Bryggja, meaning "landing stage" or "port",[1] and may have the same origin as Norway’s Bryggen. Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age Bryggen ( Norwegian for the Wharf) also known as Tyskebryggen ( the German Wharf) is a series of Hanseatic commercial buildings lining

Golden Age (12th to 15th century)

Bruges got its city charter on July 27, 1128 and built itself new walls and canals. A city charter or town charter (generically municipal charter) is a legal Document establishing a Municipality such as a City or Events 1214 - Battle of Bouvines: In France, Philip II of France defeats John of England. Since about 1050, gradual silting had caused the city to lose its direct access to the sea. A storm in 1134, however, re-established this access, through the creation of a natural channel at the Zwin. The Zwin is a Nature reserve at the North Sea coast on the Belgian - Dutch border The new sea arm stretched all the way to Damme, a city that became the commercial outpost for Bruges. Damme is a Municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, six kilometres northeast of Brugge ( Bruges)

With the reawakening of town life in the twelfth century, a wool market, a woollens weaving industry, and the market for cloth all profited from the shelter of city walls, where surpluses could be safely accumulated under the patronage of the counts of Flanders. counts of Flanders were the Rulers over the county of Flanders from the 9th century until the abolition of the Countship by the French revolutionaries Bruges was already included in the circuit of the Flemish cloth fairs at the beginning of the thirteenth century. The city's entrepreneurs reached out to make economic colonies of England and Scotland's wool-producing districts. English contacts brought Normandy grain and Gascon wines. Hanseatic ships filled the harbor, which had to be expanded beyond Damme to Sluys to accommodate the new cog-ships. The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hansa) was an alliance of trading cities and their Guilds that established and maintained trade Damme is a Municipality located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, six kilometres northeast of Brugge ( Bruges) Sluis ( is the name of both a Municipality and a Town located in the west of Zeelandic Flanders, in the south-western part of the Netherlands Cogs (or cog-built vessels are ships that first appeared in the 10th century, and were widely used from around the 12th century on In 1277, the first merchant fleet from Genoa appeared in the port of Bruges, first of the merchant colony that made Bruges the main link to the trade of the Mediterranean. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English This development opened not only the trade in spices from the Levant, but also advanced commercial and financial techniques and a flood of capital that soon took over the banking of Bruges. See also Names of the Levant The Levant (lə'vænt is a geographical term that denotes a large area in Western Asia, roughly bounded on the north by the The Bourse opened in 1309 and developed into the most sophisticated money market of the Low Countries in the fourteenth century. A stock exchange, share market or bourse is a Corporation or Mutual organization which provides "trading" facilities for Stock By the time Venetian galleys first appeared, in 1314, they were latecomers. [2]

Such wealth gave rise to social upheavals, which were for the most part harshly contained. In 1302, however, the population joined forces with the Count of Flanders against the French, culminating in the victory at the Battle of the Golden Spurs, fought near Kortrijk on July 11. counts of Flanders were the Rulers over the county of Flanders from the 9th century until the abolition of the Countship by the French revolutionaries This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Battle of the Golden Spurs (Dutch nl Guldensporenslag, French fr Bataille des éperons d'or, or Battle of Courtrai) was fought on July 11 For the Dutch village see Kortrijk (Netherlands Kortrijk (official name in Dutch; French: Courtrai; Latin Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. The statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, the leaders of the uprising, can still be seen on the Big Market square. Jan Breydel (born in Bruges in the 13th century is credited with leading the Bruges Matins ( Brugse Metten) a violent uprising against Philip the Pieter de Coninck (died 1332 or 1333 was a weaver from Bruges well-known for his role in the events surrounding the Battle of the Golden Spurs.

In the 15th century, Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy set up court in Bruges, as well as Brussels and Lille, attracting a number of artists, bankers, and other prominent personalities from all over Europe. Philip the Good (Philippe le Bon also Philip III Duke of Burgundy ( July 31, 1396 &ndash June 15, 1467) was Duke of Burgundy Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is Lille (lil Rijsel is a city in northern France. It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest Metropolitan area in the country

The new Flemish-school, oil-painting techniques gained world renown. The first book in English ever printed was published in Bruges by William Caxton. This is also the time when Edward IV and Richard III of England spent time in exile here. Edward IV ( 28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 2 October Richard III ( 2 October 1452 &ndash 22 August 1485) was King of England from 1483 until his death The population swelled to more than 40,000 inhabitants.

16th century until now

Starting around 1500, the Zwin channel, which had given the city its prosperity, also started silting. The city soon fell behind Antwerp as the economic flagship of the Low Countries. ||-||-||-||} Antwerp ( Dutch:, French: Anvers) is a City and Municipality in Belgium and the capital of the The Low Countries, the historical region of de Nederlanden, are the countries on low-lying land around the delta of the Rhine, Scheldt During the 17th century, the lace industry took off and various efforts to bring back the glorious past were taken. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar During the 1650's the city was the base for the court of Charles II of England and his court in exile [3]. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The maritime infrastructure was modernized, and new connections with the sea were built, but without much success. Bruges became impoverished and gradually disappeared from the picture. George Rodenbach even named the sleepy city Bruges-la-Morte meaning "Bruges-the-dead". Georges Raymond Constantin Rodenbach (July 16 1855 in Tournai, Belgium – December 25 1898 in Paris) was a Belgian Symbolist poet and novelist Bruges-la-Morte is a short novel by the Belgian author Georges Rodenbach, first published in 1892 In the last half of the 19th century Bruges became one of the world's first tourist destinations attracting wealthy British and French tourists. 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. ||-||}The port of Bruges - Zeebrugge (in short port of Zeebrugge is a large container, Bulk cargo, new Vehicles and passenger The Germans used it for their U-boats in World War I. U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word, itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot ( undersea boat) and refers World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All It was greatly expanded in the 1970s and early 1980s and has become one of Europe's most important and modern ports. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. International tourism has boomed and new efforts have resulted in Bruges being designated 'European Capital of Culture' in 2002. The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one Calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its

Geography

Satellite picture of Bruges.
Satellite picture of Bruges.
Municipality of Bruges.
Municipality of Bruges.

The municipality comprises:


Sights

Historic Centre of Bruges*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Also referred to as the "Venice of the North", Bruges has many waterways across the city
State Party Flag of Belgium Belgium
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iv, vi
Reference 996
Region† Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 2000  (24th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
† Region as classified by UNESCO.

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. Belgium comprises 589 municipalities ( Dutch: gemeenten, French: communes, German: Gemeinde) grouped into five Sint-Jozef is a quarter in Bruges, which is the capital of West Flanders, Belgium. Sint-Pieters is a suburb of Bruges, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium. Koolkerke is suburb of Bruges in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. Sint-Andries is suburb of Bruges in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. Sint-Michiels is a suburb of Bruges, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium. Assebroek is a suburb in the municipality and city of Bruges, Belgium. Sint-Kruis is suburb of Bruges in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. Dudzele is a village and subdivision in the municipality of Bruges, Belgium. Lissewege is a village and a subdivision in the municipality of Bruges, Belgium. Zeebrugge ( Dutch: Zeebrugge, French: Zeebruges, "Seabruges" in literal translation is a village on the coast of Belgium Zwankendamme is a village in the municipality of Bruges, Belgium. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex As of 2008 there are a total of 878 World Heritage Sites located in 145 "State Parties" The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe. Asia Minor, Cyprus, all of the Aegean Islands, the Canaries A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. [4]

There are many worth-seeing medieval buildings, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire — at 122m — makes it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. ||-||}The Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in Bruges, Belgium, dates mainly from the 13th 14th and 15th centuries The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime. The Madonna of Bruges is a marble sculpture by Michelangelo, of Mary with the infant Jesus. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni Two biographies were published of him during his lifetime One of them by Giorgio Vasari, proposed that he was the pinnacle of all

Bruges is also famous for its 13th-century Belfry, housing a municipal Carillon comprising 47 bells. The belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a medieval Bell tower in the historical center of Bruges, Belgium. A carillon (/kaʁijɔ̃/ /ˈkærɪljɒn/ or /kəˈrɪljən/ is a Musical instrument consisting of at least 23 cast bronze cup-shaped bells which are played The city still employs a full-time bell ringer, Aimé Lombaért, who puts on regular free concerts.

Other famous buildings in Bruges include:

Bruges also has a very fine collection of medieval and early modern art, including the world-famous collection of Flemish Primitives. Early Netherlandish painting is the work of those painters who were active in the Low Countries during the 15th and early 16th century Northern renaissance Various masters, such as Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck, lived and worked in Bruges. Hans Memling (Memlinc (c 1430 &ndash 11 August, 1494) was an Early Netherlandish painter, born in Seligenstadt / Germany, who Jan van Eyck or Johannes de Eyck (jɑn vɑn ɛik (before c 1395 &ndash before July 9, 1441) was an Early Netherlandish painter active

Church of Our Lady

Dijver and Church of Our Lady

Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Court)

Gateway (Kruispoort)

Dweersstraat

Beguinage

Groenerei

An aerial view over one of Bruges' canals

Northwestern view from the Belfry

Roofs of old houses in the city centre

The Burg square with the City Hall

Culture and art

Concertgebouw.
Concertgebouw.
't Zand with the Concertgebouw.
't Zand with the Concertgebouw.
The Belfry - situated on the south side of the Grote Markt.
The Belfry - situated on the south side of the Grote Markt.
City Hall.
City Hall.
Saint-Salvator Cathedral.
Saint-Salvator Cathedral.

Theatres and concert halls

Cinemas

Festivals

  • Airbag (accordion festival)
  • BAB-bierfestival (beer festival)
  • Bad Boys Festival
  • Brugge Tripel Dagen
  • Brugges Festival
  • Brugse Kantdagen ("Bruges' Lace Days")
  • Burg Rock
  • Cactusfestival
  • Choco-Laté (chocolate festival)
  • Cinema Novo (film festival)
  • Comma Rocks Festival
  • Coupurefeesten
  • Dagen van de Bruggeling
  • December Dance (dance festival)
  • Dudstock (Last edition 2007, discontinued)
  • European Youth Film Festival of Flanders
  • Feest In't Park
  • FEST!
  • Hafabrugge (orchestra festival)
  • Jazz Brugge (jazz festival)
  • Jonge Snaken Festival
  • Klinkers
  • Midwinterfeest
  • miniROCK
  • Music in Mind
  • Festival van Vlaanderen - MAfestival
  • NAFT (theatre festival)
  • Polé Polé Beach (in Zeebrugge)
  • Red Rock Rally
  • Reiefeest
  • September Jazz (jazz festival)
  • Sint-Gillis Blues- en Folkfestival
  • Snow and Ice (snow and ice sculpture festival)
  • Soundscape Festival
  • Thoprock
  • Uitgepakt! (gay culture festival)
  • Vama Veche festival
  • Vijverpop
  • Walvisfestival
  • XXTASE festival
  • Zwiebelrock (part of Vama Veche)

Museums

Municipal museums

Non-municipal museums

Transport

Road

Bruges has excellent road connections from all directions (E40, A10, E403, N31, E34). ||-||-||} European route E40 is the longest European route, more than 8000 km long connecting Calais in France via Belgium, Germany The European route E34 is a road in Europe and a part of the United Nations International E-road network.

Driving within the 'egg', the historical centre enclosed by the main circle of canals in Bruges, is discouraged by traffic management schemes, including a network of one way streets. The system encourages the use of set routes leading to central car parks and direct exit routes. The car parks are convenient for the central commercial and tourist areas; they are inexpensive.

Railway

Bruges' main railway station provides at least hourly trains to all other major cities of Belgium. Further there are several regional and local trains.

The main station is also a stop for the Thalys train Paris–Brussels–Ostend. Thalys is an international high-speed train operator built around the high-speed lines between Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is ||-||-||} Ostend  (  Oostende, French and German Ostende) is a Belgian City and municipality located in the Flemish

Bus links to the centre are frequent, though the railway station is just a 10 minute walk from the main shopping streets and a 20 minute walk from the Market Square.

Air

The national Brussels Airport, one hour away by train or car, offers the best connectivity. Brussels Airport (also called Brussel Nationaal/Bruxelles-National (Brussels National The nearest airport is the Ostend-Bruges International Airport in Ostend (around 30 km from the city centre of Bruges), but it offers limited passenger transport and connections. Ostend-Bruges International Airport (commonly Ostend Airport is located in Ostend, Belgium, near the coast and about 30 km from the city centre of Bruges

't Zand bus station.
't Zand bus station.

Public city transport

Bruges has an extensive web of bus lines, operated by De Lijn, providing access to the city centre and the suburbs (city lines, Dutch: stadslijnen) and to many towns and villages in the region around the city (regional lines, Dutch: streeklijnen). ||-||-||} Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn - usually known as De Lijn (in English The Line) - is a company run by the Flemish government in Belgium Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname Dutch ( is a West Germanic language spoken by around 24 million people 22 million of which are from the Netherlands, Belgium and Suriname

In support of the municipal traffic management (see "Road" above), free public transport is available for those who park their cars in the main railway station car park.

Plans for a north–south light rail connection through Bruges, that would join up with the Belgian Coast Tram in Zeebrugge, and a light rail connection between Bruges and Ostend are under construction. For specific light rail systems many of which use the words "light rail" as part of their name see List of light-rail transit systems. The Belgian Coast Tram ( Kusttram) is a Public transport service connecting the cities and towns along the entire Belgian ( West Flanders) coast

Cycling

Although a few streets are restricted, no part of Bruges is car free.

Cars are required to yield to pedestrians and cyclists. Plans have long been under way to ban cars altogether from the historic center of Bruges or to restrict traffic much more than it currently is, but these plans have yet to come to fruition. In 2005, signs were changed for the convenience of cyclists, allowing two-way cycle traffic on more streets, however car traffic has not decreased. Recent cycle fatalities have increased pressure to close bridges and further calm inner Bruges, but laws have not yet passed. Due to heavily populated suburbs, bus traffic is high on the narrow streets. This makes cycling even trickier.

Nethertheless, in common with many cities in the region, there are thousands of cyclists in the city of Bruges.

The Elly Mærsk, here at Zeebrugge port, currently one of the world's largest container vessels.
The Elly Mærsk, here at Zeebrugge port, currently one of the world's largest container vessels.

Port

The port of Bruges is Zeebrugge. It's the most modern and second biggest port of Belgium and one of the most important in Europe.

Main article: Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge

Sports

Jan Breydel Stadium.
Jan Breydel Stadium. ||-||}The port of Bruges - Zeebrugge (in short port of Zeebrugge is a large container, Bulk cargo, new Vehicles and passenger


Miscellaneous

Brugse Zot.
Brugse Zot.
The exterior of the Boudewijn Seapark dolphinarium in Bruges.
The exterior of the Boudewijn Seapark dolphinarium in Bruges.

Famous inhabitants

Main article: Notable people from Bruges

The following people were born in Bruges:

In the 15th century, the city became the magnet for a number of prominent personalities:

Town twinning policy

On principle, Bruges has to date never entered into close collaboration with twin cities. Simon Stevin (1548/49 &ndash 1620 was a Flemish Mathematician and Engineer. Franciscus Gomarus ( January 30, 1563, Bruges - January 11, 1641, Groningen) was a Dutch theologian Calvinism (sometimes called the Reformed tradition, the Reformed faith, or Reformed theology) is a theological system and an approach to the Guido Gezelle ( May 1, 1830 - November 27, 1899) was an influential Dutch language Writer and Poet and a Philip the Good (Philippe le Bon also Philip III Duke of Burgundy ( July 31, 1396 &ndash June 15, 1467) was Duke of Burgundy Duke of Burgundy was a title borne by the rulers of the Duchy of Burgundy, a small portion of traditional lands of Burgundians west of river Saône which Brussels (Bruxelles pronounced; Brussel pronounced) officially the Brussels Capital-Region, is Lille (lil Rijsel is a city in northern France. It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest Metropolitan area in the country Petrus Christus (c 1410/1420 – 1475/1476 was a Netherlandish painter active in Bruges from 1444 Gerard David (c 1460 &ndash August 13 1523) was an Early Netherlandish painter and Manuscript illuminator known for his brilliant use Hans Memling (Memlinc (c 1430 &ndash 11 August, 1494) was an Early Netherlandish painter, born in Seligenstadt / Germany, who Jan van Eyck or Johannes de Eyck (jɑn vɑn ɛik (before c 1395 &ndash before July 9, 1441) was an Early Netherlandish painter active Simon Bening (1483&ndash1561 was a 16th century miniature painter of the Ghent-Bruges school the last major artist of the Netherlandish tradition Levina Teerlinc (b Bruges, 1510–1520? d London, 23 June 1576) was a Flemish miniaturist who served as a painter to Without denying the usefulness of this schemes for towns with fewer international contacts, the main reason is that Bruges would find it difficult to choose between cities and thinks that it has enough work already with its many international contacts. Also, it was thought in Bruges that twinning was too often an occasion for city authorities and representatives to travel on public expense.

This principle resulted, in the 1950s, in Bruges refusing a jumelage with Nice and other towns, signed by a Belgian ambassador without previous consultation. Nice (nis Niçard Occitan: Niça norm or Nissa, Italian: Nizza or Nizza Marittima, Greek In the 1970s, a Belgian consul in Oldenburg made the mayor of Bruges sign a declaration of friendship which he tried to present, in vain, as a jumelage. ||-||-||-||} Oldenburg ( Low German: Ollnborg) is an Independent City in Lower Saxony, Germany.

The twinning between some of the former communes, merged with Bruges in 1971, were discontinued.

This does not mean that Bruges would not be interested in cooperation with others, as well in the short term as in the long run, for particular projects. Here follow a few examples.

Flag of Belgium Bastogne, Luxembourg, Belgium 
After World War II and into the 1970s, Bruges, more in particular the Fire Brigade of Bruges, entertained friendly relations with Bastogne. Bastogne ( Dutch: Bastenaken, German: Bastenach, Luxembourgish: Baaschtnech) is a Belgian municipality List of governors Jean-Baptiste Thorn (1830 – 1836 Victorin de Steenhault (1836 – 1841 Joseph de Riquet The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Bastogne ( Dutch: Bastenaken, German: Bastenach, Luxembourgish: Baaschtnech) is a Belgian municipality Each year a free holiday was offered at the seaside in Zeebrugge, to children from the Nuts city.
Flag of Germany Arolsen, Hesse, Germany 
From the 1950s until the 1980s, Bruges was the patron of the Belgian First Regiment of Horse Guards, quartered in Arolsen
Flag of Spain Salamanca, Castilla y León, Spain 
Both towns having been made European Capital of Culture in 2002, Bruges had some exchanges organized with Salamanca. Bad Arolsen (until 1997 Arolsen, Bad being the German name for Spa) is a small town in northern Hesse, Germany, in Waldeck-Frankenberg Hesse (Hessen is a state of Germany with an area Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Bad Arolsen (until 1997 Arolsen, Bad being the German name for Spa) is a small town in northern Hesse, Germany, in Waldeck-Frankenberg Geography The city lies on a mountain by the Tormes River which is crossed by a bridge 150 m long built on 26 arches fifteen of which are of Roman origin, while Castile and León (Castilla y León known formally as the Community of Castile and León is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one Calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Geography The city lies on a mountain by the Tormes River which is crossed by a bridge 150 m long built on 26 arches fifteen of which are of Roman origin, while
Flag of Belgium Mons, Hainaut, Belgium 
In 2007, cultural and artistic cooperation between Mons and Bruges was inaugurated. Mons ( Dutch: Bergen, Picard: Mont) is a Walloon City and municipality located in the Belgian Hainaut ( French; English traditionally Hainault, Dutch: Henegouwen, German: Hennegau, Walloon The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Mons ( Dutch: Bergen, Picard: Mont) is a Walloon City and municipality located in the Belgian
Flag of Spain Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain 
On 29 January 2007, the mayors of Burgos and Bruges signed a declaration of intent about future cooperation on cultural, touristic and economic matters. History Early man of Neanderthal occupied sites around Burgos as early as 800000 years ago Castile and León (Castilla y León known formally as the Community of Castile and León is one of the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Events 904 - Sergius III comes out of retirement to take over the papacy from the deposed Antipope Christopher. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. History Early man of Neanderthal occupied sites around Burgos as early as 800000 years ago

Panoramas

360° panorama t Zand
360° panorama t Zand
Market Square
Market Square
View on the Groenerei and the Rozenhoedkaai
View on the Groenerei and the Rozenhoedkaai
View from the Rozenhoedkaai
View from the Rozenhoedkaai
Spiegelrei and Langerei
Spiegelrei and Langerei
Burg
Burg
Outside of the Beguinage and the Minnewater Park
Outside of the Beguinage and the Minnewater Park
Inside of the Beguinage
Inside of the Beguinage


External links

References

  1. ^ Bruges - A brief historical background.
  2. ^ Braudel, Fernand, The Perspective of the World, in Vol. III Civilization and Capitalism, 1984
  3. ^ Charles, Prince of Wales, (later Charles II), 1630-85
  4. ^ Historic centre of Bruges becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Dictionary

Bruges

-proper noun

  1. Capital city of the province of West Flanders, Belgium.
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