Brugge 04/29/2025

 The weather is gorgeous, and the temperature is 75.  You could not ask for a nicer day.  If you travel to Europe, it does not take long to realize every city or village is very old.  Most of them trace their heritage bad to the pre-historic era.  Others see their first recorded history starting about the year 1000.  Brugge was a dominent economic force in the Middle Ages.  It was located at the crossing point for European trade and the Mediterranean trades.  This was considered the "Golden Age" for Brugge. Brugge was a port city and in the 15th century, the pathway to the ocean started to silt up, and Brugge went into economic decline.  In the 1600's Brugge faded in importance and for almost 300 years Brugge went into hibernation.  This city started a reawakening in the early 1900's.  This Midevial city seem to have been a time warp.  Tourism increased and today the city is overrun by tourists.  It is a beautiful city and the historic structures are well preserved.  When walking the streets of Brugge it is like walking through history.  Many people say it reminds them of a fairy book and I agree with that.  

Bruge was occupied by the Germans in WWI and WWII. It survived both wars with very little damage.  Come to Brugge, embrace their history, and get a glimpse of what life was like in the Middle Ages. As I mentioned, it was a wealthy town in the 1500's. Maybe Brugge would have been considered an upscale village.

The first picture below is the most photographed bridge in Brugge.  It is called the Tombstone Bridge because ancient tombstones were used in its construction.  I did some research on this bridge that I  thought  was built between 1500 & 1700...  a beautiful bridge.  It was actually built in 1910. 

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                                                             Tombstone Bridge




Circa 1700 home


                                                                                                  Jerry on break
Brugge Farmers Market
Street Scene
                   
Farmers Market
Michelangelo's Madonna & child
                                              Mussells are a favorite dish
Farmers Market

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