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Bruges or Bruggen, Lat. Bruga and Brugae, a Town of the Low-Countreys in the County of Flanders, with a Bishoprick Suffragant of Malines. It situated in a great Plain within 3 Leagues of the Sea, upon the Canal called Reye, which being divided into several Navigable Torrents runs in divers places of the City, and a..."

2026-06-13T13:45:35Z

Created page with "=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. === <blockquote>Bruges or Bruggen, Lat. Bruga and Brugae, a Town of the Low-Countreys in the County of Flanders, with a Bishoprick Suffragant of Malines. It situated in a great Plain within 3 Leagues of the Sea, upon the Canal called Reye, which being divided into several Navigable Torrents runs in divers places of the City, and a..."

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=== 1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri. ===
<blockquote>Bruges or Bruggen, Lat. Bruga and Brugae, a Town of [[The United Provinces of the Netherlands|the Low-Countreys]] in the [[Flanders|County of Flanders]], with a Bishoprick Suffragant of Malines. It situated in a great Plain within 3 Leagues of the Sea, upon the Canal called Reye, which being divided into several Navigable Torrents runs in divers places of the City, and afterwards these join in the same Canal which goes to the Sluce. But this last belonging to the Hollanders, the Inhabitants of Bruges about 40 years ago made a new Canal, which goes to Ostend, that is but about three Leagues from it, and the Tide mounting almost half way, it bears Ships of 400 Tuns to Bruges; which maintains a standing Trade there. But it flourished more in former days, before Merchants had bethought of retiring to Antwerp. Bruges is one of the greatest and beautifullest Cities of Flanders, fortified with good Ditches, great Ramparts, and strong Walls. It is equally eight Leagues distant from Ghent, Courtray, Furnes, and Middlebourg. The Publick Buildings are very sumptuous, the Streets large and streight, with several fine Places, and chiefly that of the Market, whereat six great Streets begin that lead in a streight Line to the six principal Gates of the City. There are above 60 beautiful Churches. The Cathedral is that of St. Donat or Donatian. The Provost of this Collegial Church was born President in the Court called St. Donat, and Hereditary Chancellor of Flanders. But this Dignity has been united to the Episcopal Title, and the Bishop enjoys the Priviledges now. Pope Paul IV. founded in 1559 this Bishoprick, with the others of the Low-Countreys, and Peter Curtius of Bruges was the first Prelat of it. This City is divided into six Quarters, and 9 Parishes, comprehending the two which are in the Suburbs. Besides St. Donat, there are the Collegial Churches of St. Salvator and Our Lady, the Abbies of St. Andrew, of Audembourg, and divers Religious Houses. At the side of the Cathedral is the Bishops Palace, and over-against it is a great Market-Place, where the Town-House is, an ancient Building enriched with Figures, and divers curious Pieces of Sculpture. In the great Market is a high Tower, with a Clock, the Chiming whereof is Musical. There also is an old Building supported on Pillars, under which the Water runs, and Boats may pass. The Castle also deserves to be seen. Justice is rendred here by six Magistrates, who all have a particular Jurisdiction; to wit, the City, the Frank, the Provostship at present, the Bishoprick, the Court for Feodal Tenures, Zizleele, and Mandasche. There is also the Water-House, where there is an admirable Machin to convey Water into all the Quarters of the City. The Spaniards have a great Trade here in Wooll, Silk, Cotton, &c. There are a great many Tradesmen who make Fustians, Tapestries, Cloaths, Stuffs of Silk, &c. They are divided into 68 different Professions. This City had a share in the Troubles of the Low-Countreys, during the Civil Wars. It has given its name to divers great Men that were born in it, as to Bartholomew of Bruges a Learned Physician, to Walter of Bruges, and to divers others. The English loosing Calais in 1558, removed the Staple for Wooll to Bruges, and that for some time preserved it from decaying. Philip the first King of Spain was born here in 1478. Bruges stands 34 miles N. W. of Ghent, 11 E. of Ostend, 34 N. E. of Dunkirk, and 40 W. of Antwerp.</blockquote>

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