Bruges, The Venice of the North
Written: Mar 13 '00 (Updated Jan 24 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A photographers paradise, absolutely beautiful
Cons: French fries with mayonnaise
The Bottom Line: Bruges is a perfectly preserved medieval seaport city. Absolutely beautiful, a photographers paradise.
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Bruges |
History plays funny tricks sometimes, the city of Bruges is a fine example of just how ironic history can be. During the 14th and 15th centuries Bruges was one of the two or three richest and most important seaport towns in Europe. The thriving Flemish burghers built churches, palaces, and imposing homes with the profits garnered from the sea. They ringed Bruges with lovely canals, built an imposing City Hall, and one of the most impressive city squares anywhere. Then fate played what, at the time, was a dirty trick. Bruges river to the sea silted in, leaving the thriving maritime city isolated and several miles inland from its connection to the world. Politics, fickle and self serving, was used to exploit the thriving cities loss of power. Bruges was stripped of all its titles, economic prominence, Royal support, and importance. The formerly vibrant little seaport was left to languish in obscurity for five hundred years.
Those five hundred years saw a lot of war and strife, most of Europe's major cities suffered significant damage and the loss of many important historical structures. Bruges just slumbered away, perfectly preserved, ignored, and unimportant. This lack of prominence on the world stage saved Bruges from the devastation of the Napoleonic wars, the "social revolutions" of the late 19th century, and both world wars. Today, Bruges is the most visited, and most popular destination in Belgium. One of only a handful of perfectly preserved Medieval cities (Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany and Dubrovnik in Croatia are the others) Bruges has the finest "old" city hall in Europe, Count Baldwin's ornate fortress, quiet mirror surfaced canals, beautiful churches, fine museums, and the prettiest city square in Western Europe. Bruges connection to the sea has been re-established, and once again the little seaport town is prosperous and important.
Bruges is a short train trip from either Brussels or Amsterdam and makes a wonderful day trip. Shopping for world famous multi bobbin lace, sinfully delicious chocolates, and antiques will keep even the most dedicated tourist busy. Great food, friendly locals, and fantastic beer will make those occasional short rest breaks an exceptional experience. Don't miss the boat ride around the canals, and be sure to see the "love lake" with its lovely bridge, mirror still waters, and swans. The swans are the wards of the city. Nearby is the "Beguinage" a beautiful religious convent/monastery complex founded in the 13th century. Quaint, perfectly preserved buildings, a wonderful (especially in the spring) green area, and an incredible small church make a visit to the Beguinage a must. Photographers, don't miss the small courtyard with old well.
In the late spring and through the summer talented lace makers can be observed working on the Walplaats. Four of the towns seven original gates still exist, The Donkey's Gate, the the Holy Cross Gate, The Blacksmith's gate, and the Ghent Gate. These are ornate fortified gates (for photographers, each of these gates has mirror still water in the foreground) with turrets and battlements. There also remain (Kruisvest) three of the original 27 windmills that ground grain for the thriving city, they are picturesque and very different from the windmills in Holland. In addition there is a flea market every Saturday, where small antiques like lace, Belgian waffle irons, books, military medals, and small pieces of hand made furniture can be purchased.
Bruges is a town that was meant to be seen on foot, however, be careful what you purchase through the course of your visit. My wife and I had to carry two antique cast iron Belgian waffle irons and a small red oak chest with marble top around for the entire day, after purchasing them at the flea market early in the day. The oak chest now sits in my living room, and gets a lot of comments, but it was a bear to carry all day, and it must have looked pretty silly sitting in the bottom of the canal boat.
If you enjoyed reading this European Travel Review, please read my other European Travel Reviews:
France
Paris
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-4566-DD8CC47-39FC9BA6-prod2
The Camargue
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-3617-567A49E-389F1000-prod4
Italy
Venice
http://www.epinions.com/content_41123483268
Volterra
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-5B99-E9DE7DC-38B6B8D7-prod7
Bomarzo
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-720F-803CA72-38A1AC5B-bd3
Spain
Catalonia/Catalunya
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-3F7-31C0CC75-3A588817-prod2
Germany
Bavaria (Oberpfalz)
http://www.epinions.com/content_17703145092
Belgium
Bruges
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-1E23-1CAF201-38CD2F37-prod2
Scotland
Edinburgh
http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-5B99-E9DE7DC-38B6B8D7-prod7
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Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 334
Trusted by: 1276 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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