Ghent, Belgium & Brugge, Belgium

Ghent (/ˈɡɛnt/; Dutch: Gent [ɣɛnt]; French: Gand [ɡɑ̃]) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province and after Antwerp the largest municipality of Belgium. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the Late Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe with some 50,000 people in 1300. It is a port and university city. Ghent is Belgium’s second largest municipality by number of inhabitants. Much of the city’s medieval architecture remains intact and is remarkably well preserved and restored. Its centre is the largest carfree area in Belgium. Interesting highlights are the Saint Bavo Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece, the belfry, the Gravensteen castle, and the splendid architecture along the old Graslei harbour. Ghent established a nice blend between comfort of living and history. The beguinages, as well as the belfry and adjacent cloth hall, were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites in 1998 and 1999.

Stadhuis Gent, Botermarkt, Ghent, Belgium.

Korenmarkt, Ghent, Belgium.

Boating on the river Leie (Dutch and German) or Lys (French). This is river in France and Belgium, and a left tributary of the Scheldt. Its source is in Pas-de-Calais, France, and it flows into the river Scheldt in Ghent, Belgium.

Saint Nicholas’ Church, Cataloniëstraat, Ghent, Belgium.

Sint-Baafsplein. The attractive town square in Ghent Belgium (Gent) that is situated between the Royal Dutch Theatre, the Belfry Tower and St. Bavo’s Cathedral is called Sint-Baafsplein.

Cafe in the Belgian city of Ghent.

 

 

Brugge, Belgium

Bruges (/ˈbruːʒ/; Dutch: Brugge [ˈbrɵɣə]; French: Bruges [bʁyːʒ]) is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country.

The city has canals and coast. The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm, it is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port and was once the chief commercial city in the world. Bruges is well known as the seat of the College of Europe, an elite university institute for European studies regarded as “the EU’s very own Oxbridge.”

Brugge, Belgium. Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm, it is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port and was once the chief commercial city in the world.

Horse carriage. Brugge, Belgium. Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm, it is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North. Bruges has a significant economic importance thanks to its port and was once the chief commercial city in the world.

Brugge, Belgium. Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. It is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North.

Horses at Brugge, Belgium. Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium, in the northwest of the country. It is sometimes referred to as The Venice of the North.

In the center of the market stands the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, Place De Bruges. The Markt of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the Provincial Court.

In the center of the market stands the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, Place De Bruges. The Markt of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the Provincial Court.

In the center of the market stands the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, Place De Bruges. The Markt of Bruges is located in the heart of the city and covers an area of about 1 hectare. Some historical highlights around the square include the 12th-century belfry and the Provincial Court.

Quaint shops at Brugges, Belgium.

Quaint shops at Brugges, Belgium.

Basilica of the Holy Blood, Burg, Bruges, Belgium. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Bruges, Belgium. Originally built in the 12th century as the chapel of the residence of the Count of Flander. The church houses a venerated relic of the Holy Blood allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought from the Holy Land by Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders.

Street art installations near Coudenys nv, Coupure, Bruges, Belgium. Europe.

Breidelstraat, Bruges, Belgium

Saw these lovely dogs at Bruges, Belgium

Bruges by boat Everyone, who visites Bruges, the Venice of the North, is sure to make a boat-trip on its famous canals. The embarcation point is situated in the heart of the beautiful surroundings. Boat-trips take about 30 minutes and gets to see beautifull places buildings from a view that you can only see by boat.

 

To view the rest of the images please visit: http://www.photonicyatra.com/Destinations/Belgium-Brussels/