Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Venice of the North

Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges once was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs. Business declined and Bruges crumbled over the next centuries, but many houses from the "Golden Era" survived and are well restored meanwhile. By now, this is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. About 2.000.000 tourists visit Bruges annually. There is a certain spot from where the "classic" photo of Bruges is taken. In the center of these shots is a large willow, probably the most photographed tree in Belgium, maybe in Europe.. During my visit in March 2015 I found out, that located "behind" this willow is the patio of a small pub. So I could sit here, have a beer - and take a photo from the other side of the famous willow.

Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges already had its city charter in 1128 and was a very important member of the Hanseatic League. It was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs. There are still lots of boats on the canals, but now the boats are filled with tourists. Each boat is equipped with umbrellas, so that even during some drizzle, the passengers are well protected. The captain of the boat in the foreground prefered purple umbrellas, while his colleague had bought dark-green ones. Seen in the background is the tower of "Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk" (= "Church of Our Lady"). It is, at 122 metres in height, the second tallest brickwork tower in the world.

Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges already had its city charter in 1128 and was a very important member of the Hanseatic League. It was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs. There are still lots of boats on the canals, but now the boats are filled with tourists. Seen in the background is the tower of "Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk" (= "Church of Our Lady"). It is, at 122 metres in height, the second tallest brickwork tower in the world.

Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North". Bruges already had its city charter in 1128, and was a very important member of the Hanseatic League. It was the prospering center of the Flemish cloth industry. Most merchandise was punted on boats through the city. The large cog-ships were moored in the harbor. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community, - a large group of innovative and daring entrepreneurs. The canals are still filled with boats, but now the boats are filled with tourists. I was patient - and so could take a shot of the most photographed willow in Belgium with no boat in front of it.