Onthaal aan Brugge!

Posted by Claudia Dzierbicki

Located in the northwest of Belgium in the Flemish Region, Bruges is known for its beauty and its historical and contemporary significance. Having gained its city charter on 27 July 1128, it had begun to establish itself as a centre for trade and commerce, which was largely dependant upon its access to the sea. Throughout its history, Bruges had experienced growth and decline in its economy that was largely dependant on the condition of its waterways and sea access, which had at times been prone to silting. In recent history, it has re-established itself as a port city with the construction of the port of Zeebrugge in 1907. Following the port’s expansion in the 1970s and 1980s, Bruges has once again risen in significance and is now known as one of Europe’s most important port cities and was designated the European Capital of Culture in 2002 by the European Union. Its history can also be viewed by observing the numerous medieval architectural sights in the city, most of which can be seen in the historical centre of Bruges, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Some of its marvelous architectural works include the Church of our Lady, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Saint Salvator’s Cathedral, the Provinciaal Hof and its 13th century belfry (complete with a carillon and full-time carillonneur), just to name a few. Bruges is also home to the world-renowned United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), where we are meeting with the Associate Director of UNU-CRIS, Dr. Philippe De Lombaerde, today. The university is a hub for collaborative research, capacity development and advisory services which it incorporates into its goal of promoting the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, and by contributing extensively to the fields of international relations, development and a wide range of inter-related fields. Bruges is also home to the original campus of the College of Europe, a top postgraduate university for European Studies. With its beauty and history, Bruges is truly a one-of-a-kind city that should be on everyone’s list to visit!