Bruges - Willow

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

Bruges once 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.

Business declined and Bruges crumbled over the next centuries, but many houses from the "Golden Era" survived and are well restored meanwhile. By now, this is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. About 2.000.000 tourists visit Bruges annually.

There is a certain spot from where the "classic" photo of Bruges is taken. In the center of these shots is a large willow, probably the most photographed tree in Belgium, maybe in Europe..

During my visit in March 2015 I found out, that located "behind" this willow is the patio of a small pub. So I could sit here, have a beer - and take a photo from the other side of the famous willow.