Bruges Hotels, Bruges City Breaks and Bruges Flights
Bruges, the capital city of the West Flanders area of Flemish-speaking Belgium, is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Its historic centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as Brugge by the locals, the city is criss-crossed by canals edged by cobbled streets and pretty gabled houses.
During the eleventh century, wool became an important industry in Bruges, and there were strong trade links with England and Scotland’s wool-producing districts. English tradesman introduced Norman grain and Gascon wines to the city. By the late thirteenth century Bruges was the main link to the Mediterranean trade. This opened not only the trade in spices from the Levant, but introduced commercial and financial techniques to Bruges, which resulted in a flood of capital into the city. The Bourse opened in 1309 and became the most important money market in the region at the time. By the sixteenth century, however, Bruges’ importance waned. It split from the Netherlands, and the port of Antwerp took over much of its trade. Bruges declined into a quiet provincial city.
There is plenty of architecture and art to keep the visitor busy. The Church of Our Lady [Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk] has the highest brick tower in Europe and contains a white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo. Bruges is also famous for its thirteenth century Belfry, which houses a municipal Carillon comprising 47 bells. The city still employs a full-time bell ringer who gives recitals. The Basilica of the Holy Blood [Heilig Bloed Basiliek] is another of the city’s famous churches; it contains a phial said to contain the blood of Christ. The Groeninge Museum displays Flemish and Belgian paintings spanning six centuries, including works by Hans Memling and Jack Van Eyck, who lived and worked here.
Don’t forget to enjoy the open spaces of this beautiful city. Take a boat trip on the canals or just sit in the café and sip one of the 350 or more beers for which Belgium is famous. Moules frites and chocolate are Belgian specialties well worth indulging in.
Bruges Temperature Chart : | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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| Temp °C | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
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Average daily temperature °C
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