BELGIUM city of BRUGGES part 1

BELGIUM city of BRUGES part 1

Belgium’s famous city Brugge, located in the Northwest of the country in the Flemish region of Belgium. It has over 255, 000 inhabitants of whom over 20, 000 live in the centre. It is sometimes referred to the Venice of the North.

Brugge, was the commercial hub of medieval Europe and it has the architecture to prove it. From the town hall to the world famous bell tower, the city’s ancient buildings scream Old World opulence. It’s no surprise, then, that the old financial capital of Europe has become a success. It is one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities for more than a century and has become a prime tourist destination. Visitors flock from around the world to stroll through its cobblestone streets and float down its famous canals and take in its rich history.

In a city full of spectacular sights, the most spectacular of all is the Markt. This broad, sunny square is framed on all sides by gothic art and grand terraces. This is where you will find the iconic Bruges belfry, too. Indeed, you can’t miss it. The tall towers 83 metres over the Markt and, if you have the energy to climb 366 steps, it offers a breathtaking aerial view of Bruges. . On Burg square is the town hall, was built in 1376. The great hall of the aldermen is decorated with high Gothic windows , Great for the keen photographer!
The recently opened Historium interactive visitor centre offers a realistic trip back in time, but the city is well enough preserved that a high-tech simulation isn’t the only way to get an idea of old Bruges. It’s everywhere. A particularly fine spot for a promenade is the Begijnhof. This is a leafy religious sanctuary well within the old town. The Benedictine fort is still used by nuns of the order, you may spot them going about their daily business from time to time in the grounds.

Bruges is full of museums, but the city’s flagship institution is the Groeninge museum, home to an impressive collection of Flemish Primitives including the seminal Bruges resident Jan Van Eyck. It also showcases more recent works from the 19th and 20th centuries. Music lovers will be pleased to discover the Concertgebouw. The ultra-modern performing arts centre hosts international classical and contemporary artists, and pop, rock and world music.

In the 16th century there were 24 windmills in the Bruge area. Four of them have been preserved and stand on the embarkement of the old Kruisvest rampart. Bruge’s role as a port faded in the 15th century but its canals links to the sea and source of its wealth still exist.