- Belgium Guide
- Cities
- Belgian Beer
- Belgian Chocolate
- Belgian Tradiions
- Cheap Brussels Hotels
- Family
- Famous Belgians
- Getting Around
- Getting There
- Languages
- Living
- Nightlife
- Outdoor Activities
- Parks and Gardens
- Shopping
- Sport in Belgium
- Study in Belgium
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Useful Phone Numbers
- Weather and Climate
- Top in Belgium
- Companies
- Community
- Contact
“The Venice of the North,” Bruges is a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site located northwest in the province of West Flanders. This ancient, historic city is said to have once been the center of commercial and economic activity in the world thanks to its port. Declared a city in July 27, 1128, Bruges has had a glorious and interesting past, especially in the 12th to 16th centuries when it enjoyed immense political power and significant advancements in the fields of art, technology and commerce. However the succeeding centuries saw the rise of other nearby cities and overtook Bruges in terms of economic progress. In the late 19th century, Bruges was redeveloped as a prominent tourist destination with its well-preserved historical architecture and in the early 20th century, the port of Zeebrugge was built which has contributed immensely to the revival of Bruges. Today, the city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belgium and in Europe. Aside from its impressive and magnificent medieval buildings, Bruges is known for its exquisite lace, chocolate shops, and beer.
When in Bruges be sure to visit its most popular sites, most of which are conveniently located in the historic centre. The most famous landmark is the 13th century belfry which can be found in the Church of Our Lady, one of the world’s highest brick towers. There is also the Basilica of the Holy Blood, built in the 12th century and is said to house a sacred relic of the Holy Blood. Another fascinating church architecture is the Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk with its unique Romanesque and Gothic influences. The Groeninge Museum in Dijver 12 features a collection of works by Bruges artists from the 14th to the 20th centuries. There is also the interesting Friet Museum, the only frites (fries) museum in the world. Bruges also has a lively entertainment scene with a number of theater and concert halls, cinemas and parks where open air concerts are usually held. Bruges has hosted a lot of musical and cultural festivals and its yearly calendar is full of interesting events such as the Beer Festival, Dance Festival, Circus festival and film Festival.
