One of the defining features of this period was the development of the bourse—the world’s first stock exchange—established by the Van der Beurze family in the 13th century. Merchants from Italy and other regions gathered in this building to conduct business, giving birth to the modern financial marketplace.
Art also flourished in Bruges. The city became a cradle of the Northern Renaissance. Artists such as Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, and Gerard David lived and worked in Bruges, transforming the city into an artistic beacon. Jan van Eyck’s “Madonna with Canon van der Paele” remains one of the finest works produced in the city, exemplifying the refined detail and realism that Northern Renaissance art is known for.
Politically, Bruges was under the rule of the Counts of Flanders, and later became part of the Duchy of Burgundy when the two houses merged through marriage. Under the Burgundian dukes—especially Philip the Good and Charles the Bold—Bruges reached new heights of splendour and sophistication. Lavish tournaments, feasts, and courtly ceremonies became common features of city life.
Decline and Isolation: 16th to 19th Century
However, like many golden ages, Bruges’ prosperity would not last. The Zwin channel began to silt up in the late 15th century, cutting off the city from the sea. This led to the gradual decline of its trading economy. Antwerp, with its better access to maritime routes, rose to replace Bruges as the primary commercial center in the region.
The 16th and 17th centuries brought further hardship. Religious wars, political instability, and the Protestant Reformation divided the Low Countries. Bruges, a Catholic stronghold, suffered under Spanish rule, and its population declined. Its role in European trade diminished almost completely. The once-vibrant city fell into a kind of slumber, bypassed by industrialization and modern development.
Ironically, this period of economic and social stagnation contributed to Bruges’ preservation. While other cities modernized, Bruges remained unchanged. By the 19th century, the city had become something of a forgotten relic—a place that time had left untouched. shutdown123