Brugges

Bruges, also known as Brugge in Dutch and sometimes spelled Brugges in English, is a city and municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital of the province of West Flanders and lies in the northwest of the country along a network of canals and historic streets. The city is often nicknamed the Venise of the North for its waterways.

Bruges began as a settlement in the early Middle Ages and rose to prominence as a commercial and maritime center in the 12th to 15th centuries, aided by its port on the Zwin and its links with the Hanseatic League. The height of its prosperity left a well-preserved medieval core that remains a major tourist draw. The Historic Centre of Brugge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Key attractions include the Market Square (Markt) with the 83-meter Belfry, the Burg Square, the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's sculpture Madonna and Child, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Groeningemuseum, and the Gruuthuse Museum. The Beguinage and several old hospitals reflect the city’s social history. Canals, bridges and boat trips form a characteristic landscape.

Today Bruges is dominated by services and tourism, with a local economy that includes chocolate and lace crafts. The city is a center for Flemish culture and hosts museums, concerts and festivals throughout the year. The population of the municipality is around 118,000, with a larger metropolitan area.

Transport and climate: Bruges is connected by rail to Brussels and other Belgian cities; the nearby port complex of Zeebrugge serves freight and ferry services; the nearest international airport is Brussels Airport. The climate is temperate maritime with mild winters and cool summers, and rainfall throughout the year.