Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Bruges developed into the world’s most important commercial center. Then the harbor silted up, and ships became too large to reach the port. The city soon fell into disrepair.
Well-off 19th-century British and French tourists, on their way to the nearby Battle of Waterloo site, rediscovered Bruges. Encouraged by their interest, the Belgians decided to rehabilitate the city as a tourist draw, and their decision has paid off ever since. The shore excursion department will whisk you here from Zeebrugge, the modern port on the North Sea that has replaced old Bruges as a shipping center.