Wonderful little city that during the Golden Age was a one of the key points of local commerce. Bruges had a strategic location at the crossroads of the northern Hanseatic League trade and the southern Trade Routes, that is the reason why during that time Bruges became wealthy and attracted a number of artists, bankers, and other prominent personalities from all over Europe.
However, around 1500 the Zwin channel, which had given the city its prosperity, started silting and the city lost most of its population and money. Bruges became "the Forgotten City" for several hundreds of years, that is why it could preserve its past greatness through the time.
Bruges revived only in 19th century when tourists started to burst into the city. Bruges completely saved and contained all old buildings and unique style of the 16th century. It has excellent beer too.
