Bruges a city in NW Belgium, capital of the province of West Flanders, which until the 15th century was a centre of the Flemish textile trade.
Bruges Group a political pressure group formed with the intention of arguing against British participation in the creation of a federal European state. The name alludes to a speech given in Bruges by Margaret Thatcher, then British Prime Minister, in September 1988.

Bruges (Brugge) Capital of West Flanders province, nw Belgium. Built on a network of canals, it was a great trading centre in the 15th century. Its importance declined after 1500, but trade revived when the Zeebrugge ship canal was opened in 1907. It has many medieval buildings, including churches, a town hall and a market hall. Industries: engineering, brewing, lace, textiles, tourism. Pop. (2000) 133,859.