1. 2000 years “Brugge & the Sea”

2. The Zwin Area between the Northsea and Brugge, alternate sea and land Gradually nature created a permanent channel of 10 km between the coast and the city

3. About the year 1000 Small natural rivers were deepened, widened, fortified and equipped with dams and locks to control the water flow

4. 13th century Building of the large port of Damme, ± 5 km north of Brugge Digging of a smaller canal towards the halls on the Market Square in Brugge

5. International trade of goods: wool, cloth, wine, luxury products… Flanders became one of the richest areas in Europe

6. 15th century Stop of economic prosperity with the silting of The Zwin region; the land became sandy and salty Harbour traffic moved to other ports e.g. Antwerpen

7. ‘Bruges, la morte’ The city faded away till the 19th century

8. Around 1860 Some politicians and merchants realised that the building of an ‘open seaport ‘was the only way to regain economic welfare for Brugge and the environment

9. 1907 : Zeebrugge = Brugge by the Sea King Leopold II inaugurated the new seaport of Zeebrugge Link to the inner port of Brugge by a straight canal of 10 km

11. World War I Port of Zeebrugge was used by the German army to launch U-boats Almost completely destroyed by the Allies

12. World War II Zeebrugge was used as part of the German ‘Atlantic Wall’ Partly devastated

13. 1950-1960 Trade with the UK; start of the ‘ ferry ‘ lines e.g. Zeebrugge- Dover

14. 1970 Worldwide oil crisis Port of Zeebrugge is deepened to receive huge oil tankers

15. 1985 The coastal port became a ‘deepsea port’ Start of the development of Zeebrugge as one of the most important entry ports for the European market Extensive outer port, sea locks, breakwaters of 4km long, modern infrastructure in the inner port and the hinterland

16. Activities Container terminals Gas and oil terminal Cruises Biggest car port in the world RORO traffic = roll-on roll-off …

19. Ecological aspect? A great concern about nature e.g. ‘ tern island’ artificially created as breeding spot for birds 2 windfarms to generate green energy

20. Interview with a fish dealer 2 pupils had an interview with the owner of a fish company about : the harbour, today’s fish market,economic crisis, the past and the future… Unfortunately the man couldn’t speak English so we have a Dutch text only

21. Click on this picture in presentation modus to watch the movie “Hundred years People & Sea”