Zwyn River

Water is one of the most important elements of the city of Bruges, and the Zwyn river offers beautiful views of the cities. Between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, Bruges was one of the most prosperous cities in the west, but this prosperity backfired, as it led to excessive sediment in the bottom of the river; in the mid-sixteenth century, the river became un-navigable. Bruges is served by an extensive network of canals, so it is known as the Venice of the North.