Bruges, Flanders
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Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country, and the seventh-largest city of the country by population.
The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares (138.4 km2; 53.44 sq miles), including 1,075 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge (from Brugge aan zee, meaning 'Bruges by the Sea').
The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is oval in shape and about 430 hectares in size. The city's total population is 117,073 (1 January 2008), of whom around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 (238 sq mi) and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008.
Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and St Petersburg, it is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance, thanks to its port, and was once one of the world's chief commercial cities. Bruges is a popular tourism destination within Belgium, and is well known as the seat of the College of Europe, a university institute for European studies.
Bruges became important due to the tidal inlet that was crucial to local commerce, This inlet was then known as the "Golden Inlet". Bruges received its city charter on 27 July 1128, and new walls and canals were built. In 1089 Bruges became the capital of the County of Flanders. Since about 1050, gradual silting had caused the city to lose its direct access to the sea. A storm in 1134, however, re-established this access, through the creation of a natural channel at the Zwin. The new sea arm stretched all the way to Damme, a city that became the commercial outpost for Bruges.
Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country, and the seventh-largest city of the country by population.
The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares (138.4 km2; 53.44 sq miles), including 1,075 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge (from Brugge aan zee, meaning 'Bruges by the Sea').
The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is oval in shape and about 430 hectares in size. The city's total population is 117,073 (1 January 2008), of whom around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 (238 sq mi) and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008.
Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and St Petersburg, it is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance, thanks to its port, and was once one of the world's chief commercial cities. Bruges is a popular tourism destination within Belgium, and is well known as the seat of the College of Europe, a university institute for European studies.
Bruges became important due to the tidal inlet that was crucial to local commerce, This inlet was then known as the "Golden Inlet". Bruges received its city charter on 27 July 1128, and new walls and canals were built. In 1089 Bruges became the capital of the County of Flanders. Since about 1050, gradual silting had caused the city to lose its direct access to the sea. A storm in 1134, however, re-established this access, through the creation of a natural channel at the Zwin. The new sea arm stretched all the way to Damme, a city that became the commercial outpost for Bruges.
Mettre en grand pour voire les étoiles.
La tour la plus importante de Bruges atteint une hauteur de 83 mètres et abrite entre autres un carillon comprenant 47 cloches mélodieuses. Ce symbole de Bruges a été restauré de fond en comble en 2012. Dans la salle d’accueil, les visiteurs ont l’occasion (tout en attendant) d’en apprendre beaucoup sur l’histoire et la fonction de ce beffroi de Bruges conservé en tant que patrimoine mondial. Celui qui est prêt à gravir la tour, pourra s’arrêter dans la trésorerie où l’on gardait, au Moyen-Âge, la charte, le sceau et la caisse de la ville, ainsi qu’à l’étage de l’impressionnant mécanisme d’horloge ou chez le carillonneur. Finalement, après exactement 366 marches, vos efforts seront récompensés par une vue époustouflante sur Bruges et ses environs.
The most important tower of Bruges reaches a height of 83 meters and houses among others a carillon including 47 melodious bells. This symbol of Bruges was restored from top to bottom in 2012. In the reception room, visitors have the opportunity (while waiting) to learn a lot about the history and function of this belfry of Bruges preserved as World Heritage. Whoever is ready to climb the tower, can stop in the treasury where we kept, in the Middle Ages, the charter, the seal and the box of the city, as well as on the floor of the impressive clock mechanism or at the carillonneur. Finally, after exactly 366 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Bruges and its surroundings.
Bruges is a city that will capture your heart. It is a city of human proportions, but one that can never be truly fathomed. Its history has made it great, a fact that garnered it the title of a Unesco World Heritage City. Retaining the mysteries of the Middle Ages and unashamedly exuberant, Bruges has been an international metropolis for centuries.
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Everything is this compact town is so perfect – the Market Square, the Cathedral, the numerous parks all look as if they were crafted by artists of note, which they were!
The city is very well preserved and clean to boot. It is almost like a stage set, nay, make that a movie set, perhaps a Disney flick?
Every window has lace curtains and flower boxes with geraniums, all the buildings are in good repair, and the architecture is infinitely interesting. Low-country designs of the Middle Ages were a matter of pride; every detail down to the outline of a window frame is beautifully proportioned.
In the heart of the downtown, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for deliveries during restricted hours, making it one of the easiest walking cities of the world, safe and well-signed. The winding cobbled streets, adjacent to the canals, are shared by pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn carriage. Sweepers follow the horses and keep the streets litter free.
Restaurants serve authentic Belgian cooking, a strong rival to French cuisine, as well as numerous international style dishes. Fresh fish, cooked a thousand different ways, is plentiful, as are beautiful homegrown vegetables. Of course, this country is famous for its chocolate, a worthy choice for dessert. My own personal favorite Belgian meal is carpes frites plus pommes frites, which would be called ‘fish and chips’ anywhere else, but is in fact a perfect delicacy here in Bruges.
Bruges Belfry at dusk as seen from the Dijver Canal. In front you have the hotel which apears in the movie "in bruges"
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Probably the most photographed place in this charming city.
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Thanks for visit, comments and awards
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Many thanks for your visit, star or comment!
Merci beaucoup de votre visite, étoile ou commentaire!
Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch, Stern- oder Kommentar
Muchas gracias a todos ustedes por su visita a mi galería, por sus estrellas y comentarios
TIP: Press L to view in light box or Z to zoom!
F Favorite
C Comment
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facebook.com/yasmine.hens?
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Many thanks for your visit, star or comment!
Merci beaucoup de votre visite, étoile ou commentaire!
Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch, Stern- oder Kommentar
Muchas gracias a todos ustedes por su visita a mi galería, por sus estrellas y comentarios
TIP: Press L to view in light box or Z to zoom!
F Favorite
C Comment
S Search
← Navigation dans les vignettes →
facebook.com/yasmine.hens?
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Many thanks for your visit, star or comment!
Merci beaucoup de votre visite, étoile ou commentaire!
Vielen Dank für Ihren Besuch, Stern- oder Kommentar
Muchas gracias a todos ustedes por su visita a mi galería, por sus estrellas y comentarios
TIP: Press L to view in light box or Z to zoom!
F Favorite
C Comment
S Search
← Navigation dans les vignettes →
facebook.com/yasmine.hens?