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A reflection of a medieval town, the historic centre of Bruges.

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The Flanders region of Western Belgium is connected by canals to the North Sea.

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The textile trade flourished here during the 13th and 14th centuries.

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This was the beginning of the Golden Age of Bruges as a trading centre.

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However, in the late 15th century, the canals became blocked with mud

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and the city, inaccessible by ship, trading, declined.

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Flanders used to produce high-class wool fabrics using wool imported from Britain.

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Merchant houses at the height of their prosperity were called guildhouses.

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There are signs above the doorways. This is a fish shop.

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The signs were convenient for the many people of the time who couldn't read.

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Under this barrel is the face of Bacchus.

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These signs show the procedures for leather making.

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Here, hammering an animal hide with a stone after washing, and here, tanning leather.

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The building on the right used to be the house of a merchant called Bos.

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The world's first stock exchange was founded here.

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This is Bos in the local language.

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Bruges became a thriving centre for finance and joined the Hanseatic League.

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Merchants pioneered the town's construction.

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This belfry was built as a watchtower and became a symbol of the town's independence.

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In the top part of the belfry, a set of bells called carillon tells the time.

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The canals, once the pride of the town, silted up and the town declined during the Industrial Revolution.

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Time has stopped in this medieval town, its beautiful reflection unchanged for centuries.