Belgium: Spotlight on Bruge

Bruge

At it's hight in the Middle Ages, Bruge was a hub for weavers who spun English wool and sold clothes worldwide. Those days are gone, and what is left is a meticulously preserved medieval city that is just cloyingly picturesque.

Belfry Tower 

At 83 meters high the lantern at the top is about 532 years old. The tower is located in the Markt Plaza which is surrounded by 19th century gabled buildings. 

Belgian Chocolate
Belgium's first foray into the chocolate world began in the mid 1600s when it was under the control of the Spanish. Of course, the Spanish at the time were forging their conquests through the Americas and had been introduced to a delicious product that when combined with sugar began a sensation over night. Belgium continued its chocolate industry into the 20th century by importing large amounts of chocolate from its colony in the Belgian Congo.

In order for chocolate to be considered Belgian, it must be made in Belgium, but its ingredients can be resourced from anywhere. What makes Belgian chocolate so world famous is in part its quality. Belgian chocolate is highly regulated and as such it must have at least 35% cocoa. The chocolate is also often made by hand, which adds to its appeal and superiority over manufactured chocolate.


Funfacts:
Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate a year
There is 1 chocolatier for every 2,000 people in Belgium






Archangels

Since visiting Oaxaca and seeing the blending of Catholic and indigenous symbolim exemplified by the mesoamerican archangels holding up the Spanish saints on the outside the church in Teposcolula, I have become increasingly aware of archangels. I found the ones in Bruge to be particularly interesting. The archangels are depiction of the common people. It makes a very powerful statement about what the church rests on.




















The Canals of Bruge

Bruge is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the North". There are still cars and walkways, but the canals are quite an intricate water system, not to mention they make Bruge even more charming and beautiful. The last pic is of my bestie and travel partner, Jackie, or as she prefers to be called, Jacqueline. I suppose Jacqueline feels more fitting for the setting.