Tuesday 6 February 2018

TRAVEL TUESDAY #117 - BRUGES, BELGIUM

“In the middle ages people were tourists because of their religion, whereas now they are tourists because tourism is their religion.” - Robert Runcie 

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.

There is only one simple rule: Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only.

Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately. 
Bruges (Dutch: Brugge) is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. The area of the whole city amounts to more than 13,840 hectares, including 1,075 hectares off the coast, at Zeebrugge (from Brugge aan zee meaning “Bruges by the Sea”).

The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. It is oval and about 430 hectares in size. The city’s total population is 117,073 (1 January 2008), of whom around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008.

Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port and was once one of the world’s chief commercial cities. Bruges is well known as the seat of the College of Europe, an elite university institute for European studies regarded as “the EU’s very own Oxbridge.”

Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact, making it one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The historic centre of Bruges has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Many of its medieval buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire reaches 122.3 m, making it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be the only of Michelangelo’s sculptures to have left Italy within his lifetime.

Bruges’ most famous landmark is its 13th-century belfry, housing a municipal carillon comprising 48 bells. The city still employs a full-time carillonneur, who gives free concerts on a regular basis.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

10 comments:

  1. A wonderful Photo. Your information increases my interest in Belgium. Thank you!

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  2. Brugge is a quaint city - great to take a walk and see the sights. Other than that I don't remember much, because it was so long ago:) Thanks for hosting:):)

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  3. Wonderful evening shot!
    Thank you for hosting.

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  4. We went last year - I adore Brugge - so beautiful. And very good base for the WW1 fields too.

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  5. That is an absolutely stunning image

    Mollyx

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  6. I'm so glad we were able to visit Belgium, although I'm sure none of our photos is as exquisite as yours here. And I have never before encountered the word "carillonneur" but I love it already, as well as the fact that he works full time and gives concerts as well.
    Kay
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  7. Beautiful image. I love the light that you used.

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  8. Bruges IS one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe. But the architecture would not have been so beautiful, had Bruges not been a canal-based city with a great port.

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  9. I love Bruges. It is such a lovely Medieval town. One of my favourites.

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