057 SPAANSE LOSKAAI…
DAY 4 SPAANSE LOSKAAI…
Standing on the Augustijnenbrug, I look back and see the lovely reflections zigzagging on the water.
From the 13th to the 15th century, Bruges was an important trading centre at the crossroads between the Hansa cities of Scandinavia, England and Germany (known collectively in those days as the 'Easterners’) and the most important commercial regions in France, Spain and Italy.
The Spanish traders established themselves at Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish Unloading Quay). Numerous foreign merchants were welcomed in Bruges, such as the Castilian wool merchants who first arrived in the 13th century. After the Castilian wool monopoly ended, the Basques, many hailing from Bilbao (Biscay), thrived as merchants (wool, iron commodities, etc.) and established their own commercial consulate in Bruges by the mid-15th century.
During the 15th century the Zwin, the waterway linking Bruges to the sea, silted up. Despite attempts to build another canal, the city’s economic lifeline was gone.
When the headquarters of the Hanseatic League moved from Bruges to Antwerp at the end of the 15th century, many merchants followed, leaving abandoned houses, deserted streets and empty canals. Bruges, a former hub of Europe, slept for 400 years.
More of the other Brugge.
Have a wonderful day, filled with love and beauty, M, (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY MY IMAGES!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS HERE on our website: www.indigo2photography.com
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
057 SPAANSE LOSKAAI…
DAY 4 SPAANSE LOSKAAI…
Standing on the Augustijnenbrug, I look back and see the lovely reflections zigzagging on the water.
From the 13th to the 15th century, Bruges was an important trading centre at the crossroads between the Hansa cities of Scandinavia, England and Germany (known collectively in those days as the 'Easterners’) and the most important commercial regions in France, Spain and Italy.
The Spanish traders established themselves at Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish Unloading Quay). Numerous foreign merchants were welcomed in Bruges, such as the Castilian wool merchants who first arrived in the 13th century. After the Castilian wool monopoly ended, the Basques, many hailing from Bilbao (Biscay), thrived as merchants (wool, iron commodities, etc.) and established their own commercial consulate in Bruges by the mid-15th century.
During the 15th century the Zwin, the waterway linking Bruges to the sea, silted up. Despite attempts to build another canal, the city’s economic lifeline was gone.
When the headquarters of the Hanseatic League moved from Bruges to Antwerp at the end of the 15th century, many merchants followed, leaving abandoned houses, deserted streets and empty canals. Bruges, a former hub of Europe, slept for 400 years.
More of the other Brugge.
Have a wonderful day, filled with love and beauty, M, (*_*)
For more of my other work or if you want to PURCHASE (ONLY PLACE TO BUY MY IMAGES!), VIEW THE NEW PORTFOLIOS AND LATEST NEWS HERE on our website: www.indigo2photography.com
Please do not use this image on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved