Bruges - Canal

Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North".

Bruges already had its city charter in 1128 and was a very important member of the Hanseatic League. It was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor.

Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs.


There are still lots of boats on the canals, but now the boats are filled with tourists. Seen in the background is the tower of "Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk" (= "Church of Our Lady"). It is, at 122 metres in height, the second tallest brickwork tower in the world.