Bruges (Brugge) is without doubt one of the gems of northwest Europe, offering the visitor a rich combination of history and Flemish
architectural splendors in a compact city center, which was designated a
UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
The city followed this up by becoming a
European Capital of Culture two years later. Its importance as a destination belies its relatively small size (Bruges’ population stands at around 117,000), attracting millions of visitors year round.
There is no doubt that a visit to Bruges is a rewarding experience. The
city is a sheer pleasure just to wander around, discovering street after street of pretty Flemish buildings,
delightful restaurants and bars, and more than its fair share of imposing
historic monuments.
The climb to the top of the Belfry tower is not to be missed, neither is a boat ride along the
picturesque waterways of the old city.
The city’s name is believed to derive from the Old Norse
bryggja, meaning landing stage or wharf, and Bruges’ fortunes reached their zenith in the 13th and early 14th centuries, when the city was the most
important trading center in northwestern Europe.
Things went downhill until the late 19th century, when Bruges once more came ‘back to life’, ironically almost entirely due to Georges Rodenbach’s novel
Bruges la Morte, which awakened international interest in what had become a sleepy backwater.
Modern Bruges is a
dynamic, friendly, place, with a
strong arts culture and all the ingredients of a successful tourist center.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Belgium Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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