History· 4 min

How Bruges Became the Richest City in Europe

For a brief, brilliant century, Bruges was the financial capital of the known world.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, Bruges was one of the most important cities in Europe. Its wealth came from trade — being the place where northern and southern Europe met.

The first stock exchange in history emerged here. Bruges' cloth industry turned raw English wool into finished textiles. The wealth funded art (van Eyck, Memling) and architecture (the Belfry, City Hall).

Then the Zwin silted up. Ships couldn't reach the city. Trade shifted to Antwerp. By 1500, the golden age was over. Bruges slept for 400 years — which is why the medieval city survives today.