Bruges was a location of coastal settlement during prehistory. This Bronze Age and Iron Age settlement are unrelated to medieval city development. In the Bruges area, the first fortifications were built after Julius Caesar 's conquest of the Menapii in the first century BC, to protect the coastal area against pirates.

Bruges is a flourishing and fascinating city. From the crucial role of water to the Golden Age and today's UNESCO World Heritage City. Discover its history.

Touted as a beautiful city frozen in time, Bruges history got a second chance when tourists, writers and artists began passing through in the 19th century. Wealthy visitors injected much-needed cash into the local economy, and in 1907 a new canal was dredged.

The following is a timeline of the history of the municipality of Bruges, Belgium. 865 – Fort built by Margrave Baldwin I of Flanders. [1] 1000 – Regional Brugse Vrije established (approximate …

Aug 10, 2018 · Brugge’s historic center has retained its character through the centuries and is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It represents one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval...

Feb 19, 2025 · Brugge (French: Bruges), city, Flanders Region, northwestern Belgium, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Zeebrugge, its port on the North Sea. Brugge’s intricate network of canals has led many to describe the city as the Venice of the North. Learn more about the history of Brugge in this article.

Brugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries, and where original Gothic constructions form part of the town's identity. As one of the commercial and cultural capitals of Europe, Brugge developed cultural links to different parts of the world.

Bruges was founded by Count Baldwin of Flanders in 1128, becoming an important center for trade and commerce in the region. In 1309, Bruges became a member of the Hanseatic League, a powerful alliance of merchant guilds and market towns that dominated trade in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages.

Authentically medieval, valuable heritage and Flemish primitives. That's why UNESCO put Bruges on the World Heritage List. Read all about it.

Bruges, a former hub of Europe, slept for 400 years. The city slowly emerged from its slumber in the early 19th century as tourists passed through en route to the Waterloo battlefield near Brussels.