Bruges and its beauties

Előszó

Between the 7th and 9th century a small settlement was established on the banks of the «Zwin». The first Inhabitants who sought refuge there named it Bryggia. The town that was to become an important commercial centre, thanks to its harbour, grew up around the «Burg» fortress, built by the Counts of Flanders. Such was the importance of Bruges that the Countstook up permanent residence and minted their own coinage. A port of international standing in the 13th century, Bruges fell into economic decline two centuries later due to silting up of the «Zwin»; the city's role was the taken over by Antwerp.
Nevertheless, Bruges soon regained its former splendour as the seat of the Dukes of Burgundy. It grew into a city of great splendour, a city without rival as centre for the arts. The ancient architecture of Bruges makes an essential contribution to the artistic patrimony of Europe. The paintings by Flemish Primitives housed in its museums are charged with emotion for the visitor. The 15th century school of painting at Bruges, enjoying the patronage of the Dukes of
Burgundy, numbered among its artists masters of genius, such as Jan Van Eyck, painter to the court Philip the Good, Petrus Christus, Hugo van der Goes, Gerard David, Hans Memlinc, Roger van der Weyden, Dirk Bouts and many others the Renaissance period is represented by Lancelot Blondeel and Pieter Pourbus.
From the 14th century onwards a tradition in wrought iron work, tapestry weaving and embroidery evolved at Bruges; its lace making, moreover, has been world famous since the Middle Ages. At the beginning of this century the city was provided with an outlet to the sea once more by the construction of the.Zeebruges canal. In the seventies, a port for ocean-going ships was built. Thus, the town that emerged from the sea, from which it gained its.well-being, has once more, thanks to the sea, achieved the prosperity necessary for social and eco-nomic.growth and the means to safeguard its inestimable patrimony. The presence of water in every corner of the city is one of the great charms of Bruges.
Vissza