Information about Bruges

Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in Belgium. It is egg-shaped and about 430 hectares in size.

Bruges was granted its city charter in 1128 and immediately surrounded itself with new walls.

Along with a few other northern European cities criss-crossed with canals, Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North".

Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port, and it is also home to the College of Europe.

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. The historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire at 122 m makes it one of the world's tallest brick towers/buildings. Bruges is also famous for its 13th-century Belfry. The city still employs a full-time bell ringer.

Other famous buildings in Bruges include:

1. The Beguinage
2. The Basilica of the Holy Blood which houses the relic of the Holy Blood, brought to the city after the First Crusade.
3. The modern Concert Building
4. The Old St-John's Hospital
5. The Saint-Salvator Cathedral
6. The Groeninge Museum
7. The City Hall on the Burg
8. The Provincial Court
9. The old city gateways: the Kruispoort, Gentpoort, Smedenpoort and Ezelpoort.

Bruges also has a very fine collection of medieval and early modern art, including the world-famous collection of Flemish Primitive Masters, of whom Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck, lived and worked in Bruges.

If you want to know all about Bruges, go to:

www.brugge.be

www.trabel.com