[6][7] Bruges is a major tourism destination within Belgium and is well-known as the seat of the College of Europe, a university institute for European studies.

Afterwards, it appears as Bruciam and Bruociam (892); as Brutgis uico (late ninth century); as in portu Bruggensi (c. 1010); as Bruggis (1012); as Bricge in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1037); as Brugensis (1046); as Brycge in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1049–1052); as Brugias (1072); as Bruges (1080–1085); as Bruggas (c. 1084); as Brugis (1089); and as Brugge (1116).

The Viking incursions of the ninth century prompted Count Baldwin I of Flanders to reinforce the Roman fortifications; trade soon resumed with England and Scandinavia.

Early medieval habitation starts in the ninth and tenth centuries on the Burgh terrain, probably with a fortified settlement and church.

The city's entrepreneurs reached out to make economic colonies of England and Scotland's[19] wool-producing districts.

[20] This development opened not only the trade in spices from the Levant but also advanced commercial and financial techniques and a flood of capital that soon took over the banking of Bruges.

[21] The Bourse opened in 1309 (most likely the first stock exchange in the world) and developed into the most sophisticated money market of the Low Countries in the 14th century.

In 1302, however, after the Bruges Matins (the night-time massacre of the French garrison in Bruges by the members of the local Flemish militia on 18 May 1302), the population joined forces with the Count of Flanders against the French, culminating in the victory at the Battle of the Golden Spurs, fought near Kortrijk on 11 July.

The statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, the leaders of the uprising, can still be seen on the Big Market square.

It gained flexibility and high prestige through close ties to a guild of the organized militia, comprising professionals and specialized units.

Militia men bought and maintained their own weapons and armour, according to their family status and wealth.

[25] In the 15th century, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, set up a court in Bruges, as well as Brussels and Lille, attracting several artists, bankers, and other prominent personalities from all over Europe.

During the 17th century, the lace industry took off, and various efforts to bring back the glorious past were made.

[28] The maritime infrastructure was modernized, and new connections with the sea were built, but without much success, as Antwerp became increasingly dominant.

Restorations of residential and commercial structures, historic monuments, and churches generated a surge in tourism and economic activity in the downtown area.

International tourism has boomed, and new efforts resulted in Bruges being designated European Capital of Culture in 2002.

In addition to the "Historic Centre of Bruges" and the tower included in the "Belfries of Belgium and France", Bruges is also home to a third UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Ten Wijngaerde Béguinage, a beguinage built in the 13th century, is included in the World Heritage Site of "Flemish Béguinages".

Moreover, the city and its lace would go on to inspire the Thread Routes film series, the second episode of which, shot in 2011, was partly set in Bruges.

However, only the latter two—Brugse Zot and Brugse Straffe Hendrik —are brewed in the city itself, in the De Halve Maan Brewery.

Members of the 15th century Early Netherlandish school of painters are represented, including works by Jan van Eyck.

Other religious landmarks and museums include the Church of Our Lady, English Convent, Jerusalem Church, St. Trudo's Abbey, Ten Wijngaerde Béguinage (Dutch: Begijnhof), and Ter Doest Abbey (Dutch: Abdij Ter Doest) in Lissewege.

Recently there also started a direct bus line from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Bruges.

On 6 March 1987, the British ferry MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsized after leaving the port, killing 187 people, in the worst disaster involving a British civilian vessel since 1919; it had set sail with its bow door open.

[48] Brugge is the sixth most populous city in the country after Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi, Liège, and Ghent.

Between 1998 and 2016, Bruges hosted the start of the annual Tour of Flanders cycle race, held in April and one of the biggest sporting events in Belgium.

are the current national champions, while the second team, Cercle Brugge K.S.V., was recently promoted to the first tier.

Both teams play their home games at the Jan Breydel Stadium (30,000 seats) in Sint-Andries.

[50] In 2000, Bruges was one of the eight host cities for the UEFA European Football Championship, co-hosted by Belgium and its neighbour the Netherlands.

In the 1950s, Bruges refused a jumelage with Nice, Nuremberg, Locarno and Venice that had been signed by a Belgian ambassador without consultation.