Brugge
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Brugge
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Introduction
Like anyone who is a bit too smart or too goodlooking, Bruges regularly gets knocked. The city receives millions of tourists every year, Bruges is popular! Filled with nicely kept Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance façades, plenty of art, culture and history AND some fine Belgian cuisine.
A little history:
Bruges (Brugge) was founded in the 9th century by Vikings who settled here at the end of the little river 'de Reie'. The name Bruges is probably derived from the old-Scandinavian word 'Brygga', which means 'harbor'. Because of the proximity of the North Sea, the settlement very quickly became an important international harbor. A sea-arm, called the Zwin, connected Bruges with the North Sea. The young settlement acquired city rights as early as the 12th century. At that time a first protective wall was built around Bruges. Soon, however, the Zwin started to silt up. This would have caused major problems for the city, were it not that Bruges adapted itself to this situation by creating outports in Damme and in Sluis. Moreover, transport of goods over land became more and more usual.
In the 14th century Bruges turned also into an international financial and trading center. It became the wharehouse of the North-European Hanza cities. Several countries had their own representation in Bruges: the Italians, the Germans, the Scottish, the Spanish made the city into a true European center where different languages could be heard and where the most exotic products could be found.
By the end of the 16th century the former glory was only a memory and Bruges slipped into a wintersleep that took several centuries. New textile industries were introduced in the 19th century, but to no avail. In the middle of the 1800's Brugge was the poorest city in Belgium. The 20th century, however, brought new life. The city was discovered by the international tourism and the medieval heritage turned out to be a new source of wealth for the 'Venice of the North'. Economically and industrially another important evolution took place. The new harbor of Zeebrugge (Seabruges-at 10 miles outside of the city, at the Belgian coast) brought new developments and new industries to the region.
What to see:
Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. There are many beautiful medieval buildings, including the Church of Our Lady (Mariastraat), whose brick spire - at 122m - makes it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. Go in, be quiet and have a look at the famous statue 'Madonna with child' by Michelangelo!!
Bruges is also famous for its 13th-century Belfry, housing a municipal Carillon comprising 47 bells. You can climb on top of it, if you're fit, it has 366 steps and there is no elevator. But the view is magnificent. Costs about 5€ but very worth it!
Other famous buildings in Bruges include the Beguinage, the Heilig Bloed Basiliek (the Basilica of the Holy Blood), the modern Concert Building (Concertgebouw) and the Old St-John's Hospital. The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Visit the beautiful parks of Minnewater (lake of love!) and Astridpark.
Stroll around the less known area of Sint-Anna and imagine what life in the late middle ages must have been like.
Go and see the windmills, located at the edge of the center. This is where the city wall was built and the canal aside encycles almost the whole city. You can nearly walk around the town along the canals on the "Vesten". You will pass some of the old city fortified gates dating from the 14th century.
Meetings
5 September 2008 : Monthly meeting (this month in Retsin's Lucifernum) : join us for a drink at night [1]
The whole list: [2]
Tips
- Free WIFI: FON is a Community of people making WiFi universal and free. You can get 15 minutes free internet per 24 hours on a FON [3] spot.
In Bruges there are 20 hotspots (7 active ones, OK ... 4 are mine :))
Find your spot here [4]
Map
CouchSurfers
Trivia
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Only in case of emergency, it means for problems like no more news from your host or physical troubles in Belgium, you can directly contact the Belgian ambassadors by sending a mail at this address: 911csbelgium@gmail.com . PLEASE, indicate your username, phone number, e-mail and the city where we can contact you!!!
