Brugge

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Bruges (Dutch: Brugge; French: Bruges) is the capital and biggest city of West Flanders in Belgium’s Flemish Region, in the country’s northwest.

The total area of the city is more than 13,840 hectares, including 1,075 hectares off the shore in Zeebrugge (from Brugge aan zee meaning “Bruges on Sea” ). The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is oval in form and covers around 430 hectares. The city has a total population of 117,073 (1 January 2008), with around 20,000 living in the city center. The metropolitan region, including the outside commuter zone, has a total size of 616 km2 (238 sq mi) with a population of 255,844 people as of January 1, 2008.

It is frequently referred to as The Venice of the North, along with a few other canal-based northern towns such as Amsterdam and Stockholm. Bruges has enormous economic significance due to its port and was once the world’s most important commercial city. Bruges is well-known as the home of the College of Europe, a prestigious academic center for European studies dubbed as “the EU’s very own Oxbridge.”

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Brugge | Introduction

Brugge – Info Card

POPULATION :	118,053
FOUNDED :
TIME ZONE :	• Time zone CET (UTC+1) • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
LANGUAGE :	Dutch (official) , French (official) , German (official)
RELIGION :
AREA :	138.40 km2 (53.44 sq mi)
ELEVATION :
COORDINATES :	51°13′N 3°14′E
SEX RATIO :	• Male: 49,1% • Female: 50,9%
ETHNIC :
AREA CODE :	050
POSTAL CODE :	8000, 8200, 8310, 8380
DIALING CODE :	+32 50
WEBSITE :	www.brugge.be

Tourism in Brugge

Bruges’ medieval architecture is mostly intact. Since 2000, the medieval center of Bruges has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Many of its medieval structures are noteworthy, notably the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire rises 122.3 m (401.25 ft), making it one of the world’s tallest brick towers/buildings. The Madonna and Child sculpture, which can be seen in the transept, is said to be Michelangelo’s sole work to have departed Italy during his lifetime.

The most renowned monument of Bruges is its 13th-century belfry, which houses a municipal carillon with 48 bells. The city still employs a full-time carillonneur who often performs free performances.

Climate of Brugge

Even by Belgian standards, Bruges has a bad reputation for its weather. In comparison to other Western European cities such as London and Paris, the weather in Bruges is cooler and damper. Even in July and August, average daily maximum temperatures seldom reach 21°C (70°F), and rainfall totals 203 mm (8 in) every month. Temperatures drop quickly in the fall, and the winter months are wet and frigid.

Summer visitors should always be prepared for rain in Bruges, because bright and sunny weather is not guaranteed throughout that season. The daily and monthly temperature differences are fairly minor – typical highs and lows do not surpass a 9°C (or 16°F) range.

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