Bruges

A canal-laced medieval trading hub preserved in Flemish stone/Cities & Urban

Bruges is a medieval city in northwestern Belgium whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once one of the wealthiest cities in Europe thanks to its textile trade and access to the sea, Bruges declined after its waterway silted up in the 15th century, which paradoxically preserved its medieval architecture. The city center covers about 4.3 square kilometers and is crisscrossed by canals spanning roughly 7 kilometers. The Belfry of Bruges rises 83 meters above the Markt square and contains a carillon of 47 bells. The city is connected to the North Sea by the Boudewijn Canal, and its population of roughly 120,000 makes it one of the best-preserved small medieval cities in Europe.