City waterway
Bruges is the capital of the province of West Flanders in present-day Flanders
Bruges is one of Europe's most important landmarks as the city has hardly changed since the Middle Ages.
The municipality comprises the historic city of Bruges proper, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe, and the towns of Assebroek, Dudzele, Koolkerke, Lissewege, Sint-Andries, Sint-Jozef, Sint-Kruis, Sint-Michiels, Sint-Pieters, Zeebrugge, and Zwankendamme.
History :
Bruges got its city charter on July 27, 1128 and built itself new walls and canals. 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.
In the 15th century, Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy set up court in Bruges, as well as Brussels and Lille, attracting a number of artists, bankers, and other prominent personalities from all over Europe. The new Flemish-school, oil-painting techniques gained world renown. The first book in English ever printed was published in Bruges by William Caxton. This is also the time when Edward IV and Richard III of England spent time in exile here. The population swelled to more than 40,000 inhabitants
Trade and Commerce:
The second half of the twentieth century has seen the city started to reclaim some of its past glory. The port of Zeebrugge, was greatly expanded in the 1970s and early 1980s. International tourism has boomed and new efforts have resulted in Bruges being designated 'cultural capital of Europe' in 2002.
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