Bruges, with its strategic coastal location, emerged as a prosperous trading hub in the early Middle Ages. Favored by the Counts of Flanders, it thrived as a center of commerce, famed for Flemish cloth production, and grew into one of Northwest Europe’s most significant trading centers in the 14th century. However, economic decline followed in the late 15th century, shifting trade to Antwerp, and Bruges’ connection to the sea gradually silted up. Despite centuries of changing rulers, the city retained its Catholic identity and underwent a revival in the 19th century, spurred by the construction of the Zeebrugge seaport and visionary urban renewal efforts in the 1970s, leading to its UNESCO World Heritage City status in 2000. Today, Bruges proudly balances its rich heritage with a dynamic and sustainable future, drawing visitors from around the world.