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Long but fun day in Bruges. Left ship for bus at 8:30 and arrived at Bruges by coach at 10. Had walking tour of the city which has retained its medieval charm.
Bruges was important in 14th and 15th century as a town on the silk road through Venice to china. Also known for diamonds and lace. Suffered in 16th century when North Sea receded for 20 miles. Also city was punished by Emperor Maximilian when it killed his tax collector. Emperor encouraged artisans to move to Antwerp and commanded city to have statues of geese to represent the long necked tax collector it had murdered.
Bruges began as a small Roman settlement but flourished under Baldwin the strong, who kidnapped and married a princess . Was given the land and improved it with dikes and canals, as it had been flooded many times. City walls began in 1314.
Three million tourists each year. Has 30,000 inhabitants. Is Capitol of west Flanders. Has never had industrial works. There are 2300 pubs! Also has 27 churches and 9 cathedrals.
Many statues of Virgin Mary. In the counter reformation Jesuits encouraged residents to honor her as a way of reinvigorating the churches.
Had lunch in Bruges--mussels,Belgian fries, beer while Sharon had a big waffle
In evening after dinner ship crew performed skits.
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