GALLERY|Bruges, 2013

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BRUGES is the capital of West Flanders in Belgium's Flemish region whose historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bruges must be one of the very best preserved medieval cities in the whole of Europe.

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As European merchant capitalism developed from the 12th century onwards, the city enjoyed some three to four centuries of commercial growth and the wealth derived from its ever-expanding trade contacts. The Bourse, which opened here in 1309, was probably the first stock exchange in the world. Later the Flemish school of oil painting was acclaimed worldwide, and Caxton's first book printed in English was published here.

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Today Bruges is a centre for, among other commodities, chocolate and hundreds of Belgian beers. One of the art galleries here contains the works of the Anglo-Welsh artist Sir Frank Brangwyn.

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The photographs in this Gallery were taken well away from the more familiar and well-known sights in the historic city centre. They represent whatever can be found along side streets and canal banks, depicting architectural variety from grand merchants' mansions to cottages and almshouses, many featuring the ubiquitous Flemish stepped gable.

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CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO BEGIN SLIDE SHOW