Unveil the Hidden Gems: Your Ultimate Guide to Discovering Bruges - Belgium
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| Bruges - Belgium |
Discovering Bruges
Some places captivate you, even as they retain an air of mystery. Bruges is one of those cities. A city of manageable size, it gained its prominence through a fascinating history that earned it the title of UNESCO World Heritage City. A stroll through its historic center will quickly reveal why. Explore Bruges by following the themes that are close to our hearts. The city's charms will pleasantly surprise you.
The history of Bruges
Bruges has always had a special relationship with the sea. Water played a crucial role in the city’s origin, which is located at the boundary between two distinct landscapes: the coastal plain and the slightly elevated sandy inland areas. A natural sand ridge served as its boundary, and several waterways traversed the city, forming the Reie River, which flowed into the sea to the north of the coastal plain. The Reie and the tidal channels provided the city with a natural link to the North Sea.
Early Beginnings In the early centuries AD, this region was under Roman rule. A small settlement developed along a tidal channel, slightly north of what is now the city center. The inhabitants relied on fishing, livestock farming, and harvesting salt and peat. The remains of two seafaring vessels from the 3rd century attest to the existence of a modest port. In the 5th century, increasing Germanic invasions led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Little is known about Bruges’ history from the 5th to the 8th centuries, except that the Frankish dynasty took control of the area, dividing it into administrative entities known as "gouwen."
A Safe Fortress The Romans built a road, part of a larger network, along the sand ridge bordering the coastal plain. Modern-day Bruges emerged at the point where this road crossed the Reie, at the Burg Square. In the early 9th century, a simple fortress stood there, part of a coastal defense line built to repel Norman attacks. It was constructed at a strategic location at the request of the Franks. Bruges, being accessible by sea, was a prime target for attacks. This modest fortification was surrounded by earth walls, wooden palisades, and moats. Despite its simplicity, it must have been a safe haven because, in 851, monks from Ghent fled from the Normans, bringing their treasures and seeking refuge there. This event marks the first appearance of the city's name in historical records. The name "Bruges" likely derives from the Old Norse term "Bryggja," meaning "wharf" or "mooring place," or from the Germanic "brugjo," which has a similar meaning.
The Counts of Flanders In 863, Baldwin I, the first Count of Flanders, arrived in the region. Recently married to Judith, daughter of Charles the Bald, King of West Francia, Baldwin was granted the territory of "Vlaanderengouw" (Flanders) as a dowry. Far from being a gift, Charles had deliberately sent Baldwin to one of the most remote parts of his kingdom. Baldwin settled at the Burg with his wife. The term "Burg" likely comes from "burcht" (fortress) but also means "town." Despite his position as a royal official, Baldwin managed to establish true political power and make his role hereditary. His descendants continued the dynasty of counts, making Bruges the seat of power and the capital of the County of Flanders.
City Expansion Thanks to the presence of the Counts of Flanders, its favorable location, and its connection to the sea, Bruges developed into a flourishing international trading port, a true crossroads at the beginning of the Middle Ages. Flemish cloth, particularly woolen fabric, played a significant role in the city's economic rise from the 11th century onwards. This prosperity attracted a population eager to share in the wealth, and the number of inhabitants surged. By the late 13th century, Italian merchants had made Bruges their preferred trading port, and many others followed suit. Merchants from all over Europe settled in the city. New buildings were constructed, including the Belfry and its Halls on the Market Square, Saint John’s Hospital, several churches, and important commercial infrastructures like the Water Halls. It was also during this period, in Bruges, that the world's first stock exchange was established. By the 14th century, Bruges had become one of the leading commercial centers in Northwestern Europe.
The Dukes of Burgundy In the 14th century, through a shrewd marriage policy, the Burgundian court united with the County of Flanders: Duke Philip the Bold married Margaret of Dampierre, heir to the Count of Flanders. Upon the count’s death in 1384, prosperous Flanders became part of the Burgundian domain. The Dukes of Burgundy, who enjoyed residing in Bruges, gave the city a new impetus. The 15th century was a period of unprecedented prosperity and opulence.
The Golden Age of Bruges The Dukes of Burgundy, known for their refined tastes, expanded their residence at the luxurious Court of the Princes and commissioned renowned painters such as Jan van Eyck. Like many other artists and craftsmen, van Eyck made Bruges his home base. Nobles and wealthy families followed the lavish example set by the Burgundian court. They moved into majestic townhouses and spent fortunes beautifying their residences. Through the interplay of supply and demand, Bruges became a renowned center for the production of all kinds of luxury goods. Guilds ensured that all products were of the highest quality. Foreign merchants helped elevate the city to a hub of international trade, transforming Bruges into a true metropolis. With its population reaching 60,000, it was one of the largest cities in Europe.
Decline In 1482, the unexpected death of the beloved Duchess Mary of Burgundy marked the end of this period of economic prosperity. Relations between the citizens of Bruges and Maximilian of Austria, now widowed, deteriorated. Maximilian left the city, taking the court, merchants, and nobles with him. Antwerp became the new commercial metropolis of the Netherlands. The slowdown in trade contributed to the silting up of Bruges’ connection to the sea, despite the city's efforts to maintain it. In his impressive 16th-century map of Bruges, Marcus Gerards had clearly chosen to highlight Bruges' favorable location near the sea. This masterpiece remains the most detailed historical map of the city to date. The following centuries were marked by wars and power shifts, fueled by religious and political disputes. During this period, Bruges fell into the hands of the Spanish, Austrians, French, and Dutch, but remained a Catholic city.
Revival When Belgium gained independence in 1830, Bruges was very impoverished. The city didn’t experience much of the industrial revolution, and its economy remained largely dominated by small-scale craftsmanship. At one point, more than 10,000 of its 50,000 inhabitants, mostly women, earned their living through bobbin lace making. Nevertheless, modern innovations appeared, and in 1838, Bruges was connected to the fledgling Belgian railway network. At the time, the station was located at ’t Zand Square. The British, who took the train to visit the battlefield of Waterloo, where Napoleon was defeated, stayed in Bruges. Several of them decided to settle there permanently, creating an English colony in the city that sought to revive the old Gothic brick architecture, in stark contrast to the fashionable French style. This revival of Gothic architecture and its imitation greatly influenced the city’s character. Even better, it gave Bruges its visual architectural unity. In his novel "Bruges-la-Morte" (1892), Georges Rodenbach depicted Bruges as a place both dormant and mysterious. Readers, intrigued by the photos, came to immerse themselves in the city’s atmosphere. Bruges’ prestigious heritage was rediscovered, and the city cautiously opened up to tourism.
Visionary Renovation In the late 19th century, the city administration, eager to reconnect with the sea, greenlit the construction of a new seaport, which was named Zeebrugge. Despite initial difficulties, the port developed in the 20th century into a major global player. Although the two World Wars didn’t cause much damage to Bruges’ historic center, they contributed to the city’s impoverishment. In the 1970s, a visionary renovation project restored the city’s image. The focus was on restoring historic homes, cleaning the canals, greening the city, and banning cars. These efforts paid off, as Bruges is now considered one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities to live in.
Bruges Today Due to its special care for its heritage, Bruges was awarded the honorary title of UNESCO World Heritage City in 2000, and in 2002, it was named the European Capital of Culture, further boosting its international reputation. Six years later, it served as the setting for the film "In Bruges," followed by other international productions. Bruges became a popular filming location. The city was, for example, used as a backdrop for the prestigious BBC series "The White Queen" (2013) and the Indian film "PK" (2014), the very first Bollywood film shot in Belgium. In 2015, a reimagined edition of the Bruges Triennial was held, and since then, every three years, a select group of international artists and architects is invited to engage with the historic center. The result is a temporary outdoor route encouraging the discovery of contemporary artistic and architectural works.
While proudly displaying its rich history and UNESCO World Heritage status, Bruges remains forward-looking. It is a dynamic and ever-evolving city, thanks to its proud citizens, motivated entrepreneurs, and amazed visitors. Together, they contribute to weaving a sustainable future for the city, a future marked by balance, engagement, appeal, and entrepreneurship.
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Bruges offers a perfect blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and modern comfort, making it an ideal destination for tourists seeking a unique and enchanting experience.
