Bruges: The Forgotten City

William Bell
Mr. Gween
Honors 10 Period 4
February 8th, 2011
Brugge: The Forgotten City
The city of Brugge lies in the westmost Flanders region of Belgium. With its location in a mere 8 miles away from the North Sea Bruges was destined to become a popular tourist and mint location. It has an expansive history dating back to the first century B.C. Brugge originated from a sm altogether Viking block which could not survive on agricultural alone; some(prenominal) things were gained through trade with surrounding nations (Brugge). It quickly evolved into an international trade port due to its wide-cut location. However, for several centuries Brugge had very subaltern written history. This is due to what many historians referred to as the stop of Brugge good location (Rodenbach). Brugges historical 200 year slumber is due to Brugges sharp decline in the sixteenth century. This gradual decrease in power slowly sucked the conduct out of the city of Brugge until it reached a point of desperation and exiguity in the 18th century (Lonely Planet). The fall of Brugge happened due to trey things; the silting of the Zwin canal around 1500, the rise of Antwerp as a prospering maritime trader in 1510, and the Protestant Reformation in 1580.



These events forced Brugge to step into the shadows of surrounding cities and become a caseful of great trading and information city it once was.
Of all the causes of Brugges downfall, the silting of the Zwin canal was the most influential. The Zwin canal was Brugges lifeline, being that it was Brugges connection to the sea. Up until 1500 the Zwin had lead to a expatiate in Brugges economic status, boasting a macrocosm in Brugge of over 200,000 individuals. This was double of London and made Brugge a widely renowned city. However, once the Zwin canal silted up and became unreachable for travel, it created a domino effect (Lonely Planet). To silt up is a simple phrase meaning that the canal passageway became so choked up with silt that it became obstructed. This...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .