Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Grote Markt

Tongeren, founded 15BC under the name of "Aduatuca Tungrorum", is the oldest town in Belgium. The Romans set up a military camp, that was later abandoned, - but the settlement, that had grown around the camp developed into an important trading center near the Roman road linking Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) to Bononia (Boulogne-sur-Mer). Though strongly fortified the Franks sacked the town in 275. The Roman reign endet when the town got destroyed in 451 probably by the Huns. At that time a seat of a bishop existed here already. This see later moved on to Maastricht (595) and finally to Liege (718). In 881 Tongeren was raided and looted by the Normans. The largely destroyed city was rebuilt in the 10th century. Tongeren prospered but in 1677 Louis XIV’s troops blew up the city walls and burned the town down. It took the town two centuries to recover from this. The statue of Ambiorix is located in the center of the "Grote Markt". Ambiorix was at the time of Julius Caesar's conquest of Gaul king of the Eburones, a tribe who lived "between Meuse and Rhine". He led a rebellion against the Roman armee - and so (in the 19th century) became a national heroe in just founded Belgium. Similar to his collegues Vercingetrorix in France and Arminius in Germany.

Tongeren, founded 15BC under the name of "Aduatuca Tungrorum", is the oldest town in Belgium. The Romans set up a military camp, that was later abandoned, - but the settlement, that had grown around the camp developed into an important trading center near the Roman road linking Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) to Bononia (Boulogne-sur-Mer). Though strongly fortified the Franks sacked the town in 275. The Roman reign endet when the town got destroyed in 451 probably by the Huns. At that time a seat of a bishop existed here already. This see later moved on to Maastricht (595) and finally to Liege (718). In 881 Tongeren was raided and looted by the Normans. The largely destroyed city was rebuilt in the 10th century. Tongeren prospered but in 1677 Louis XIV’s troops blew up the city walls and burned the town down. It took the town two centuries to recover from this. The "Grote Markt" is in the center of Tongeren. Seen here are the statue of Ambiorix and in the backdrop the tower of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek, the Tongeren Basilica.

Veurne was settlement in possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer (50kms southwest). The place got fortified against Viking raids around 890. When Veurne became a city in the 12th century, trade with England flourished, but when the relations with England came to a standstill and the city’s economy went into decline. Around noontime the farmer's market is closing down on the "Grote Markt". In the corner of the rectangular place is the twonhall, behind is the large Sint-Walburgakerk.

Veurne was settlement in possession of the Saint Bertin Abbey in Saint-Omer (50kms southwest). The place got fortified against Viking raids around 890. When Veurne became a city in the 12th century, trade with England flourished, but when the relations with England came to a standstill and the city’s economy went into decline. Around noontime the farmer's market is closing down on the "Grote Markt". Seen in the backdrop is the tower of the Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas).

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. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community. Center of the historic city of Bruges is the "Grote Markt" lined by impressive buildings. - Taken late afternoon from the panoramic terrace of the "Duvelorium Grand Beer Café", while sipping beer. The more I drank, the longer the shadows grew..

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. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community. Center of the historic city of Bruges is the "Grote Markt" lined by impressive buildings. In the backdrop is the belltower of the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal (St. Salvator's Cathedral). - Taken late afternoon from the panoramic terrace of the "Duvelorium Grand Beer Café", while sipping beer. - For the terrace - see previous upload.

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. Between 1200 and 1500 Bruges had a kind of "Golden Era". Bruges was a leading European business community. Center of the historic city of Bruges is the "Grote Markt" lined by impressive buildings, like this one. It houses an exhibition "Historium Bruges", that I found not that interesting. Part of the "Historium" is the "Duvelorium Grand Beer Café" (quoting the website) "the only real Duvel café in the world". It is a real treat and delight to try the different beers (of course all from the Duvel Brewery) while sitting on the panoramic terrace - and "watching the wheels..." If you visit Bruges, it is worth to climb up the stairs.. www.historium.be/en/duvelorium-grand-beer-caf%C3%A9

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. Bruges declined over the next centuries. There was no need for new buildings - and so many houses of the historic city centre, meanwhile a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, date back to the "Golden Era". About 2.000.000 tourists visit Bruges annually. Back to the "Grote Markt". The house with the (neo-)gothic facade and the little spire is the "Cranenburg House", where in 1488 Archduke Maximilian of Austria, King of the Romans (later "Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor"), was imprisoned for about 5 months. During the War of the Burgundian Succession, revolts had rosen in the Flemish region. Maximilian had come to Bruges to negotiate, but the guilds of Bruges, who joined the revolt, were in arms and imprisoned him. A torture rack was brought to the market and Maximilian´s minister Pierre Lanchals (aka "Lankhals") was beheaded in front of the house. The pope excommunicated the rebels, Maximilian's father Frederick III raised an army that reached Flanders in April 1488. Maximilian made a deal with his captors. He was to relinquish the title "Count of Flanders", leaving control of the province in the hands of a government, in exchange for a yearly fee. But as soon as he had left Bruges, he broke the oath. The rebellion continued, but was finally crushed in 1492, when German troops, supported by an English fleet, blocked Bruges' trade routes and ports, what paralyzed the city's trade. Bruges and other Flemish cities were forced to accept Maximilian as regent.

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. Bruges lost importance and declined over the next centuries. There was no need for new buildings - and so many houses of the historic city centre, meanwhile a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, date back to the "Golden Era". About 2.000.000 tourists visit Bruges annually. Back to the "Grote Markt". The house with the (neo-)gothic facade and the little spire is the "Cranenburg House", where in 1488 Archduke Maximilian of Austria, King of the Romans (later "Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor"), was imprisoned for about 5 months. During the War of the Burgundian Succession, revolts had rosen in the Flemish region. Maximilian had come to Bruges to negotiate, but the guilds of Bruges, who joined the revolt, were in arms and imprisoned him. A torture rack was brought to the market and Maximilian´s minister Pierre Lanchals (aka "Lankhals") was executed in front of the house. The pope excommunicated the rebels, Maximilian's father Frederick III raised an army that reached Flanders in April 1488. Maximilian made a deal with his captors. He was to relinquish the title "Count of Flanders", leaving control of the province in the hands of a government, in exchange for a yearly fee. But as soon as he had left Bruges, he broke the oath. The rebellion continued, but was finally crushed in 1492, when German troops, supported by an English fleet, blocked Bruges' trade routes and ports, what paralyzed the city's trade. Bruges and other Flemish cities were forced to accept Maximilian as regent.

Tourists stroll around the "Grote Markt" to marvel the guildhalls, elaborate, ornate buildings, demonstrating the guild's wealth and status.