So why is Brugge old looking, because of the help of someone called Adolph, who suggested that the newer buildings follow a medieval style so that the entire city looks, insanely beautiful. In fact I do not understand what the fuss is about, Gent is just as beautiful with fewer tourists. - It is all about marketing.
I won't tell you the fascinating history given on the walk since one day you will do that for yourself! I will tell you of an alternative history about Brugge. On the tour, we learned that Brugge became a great trading hub, and then due to wars, etc. it lost its power and people were not visiting anymore.
One man responsible for bringing the tourists back to Brugge was Adolph Duclos, he was the son of a pharmacist, and his mother's family came from a long line of printers. In 1865, Duclos became a priest and had to move to where the church wanted him, he returned to his beloved Brugge in 1903. He helped to implement West-flemish to be considered a language and not just a dialect. He also assisted in establishing monuments and religious holidays in Brugge. What he is most known for however is his guide book of Brugge.
In 1910, He published a little book of about 500 pages "Bruges, Histoire et souvenirs" although he was 'all for Dutch-speaking Flanders' he ironically published it in French. You might think that Brugge sounds very French but, the name more likely comes from Vikings and thus the name is Scandinavian, not French. This city looks so beautiful thanks to Adolph Duclos encouraging the medieval architecture style.
And the tourists are now filling the city, thanks to his version of lonely planet from 1910.