Basilica of the Holy Blood (Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed)

Over

Korte feiten: A small gilded shrine holds a revered drop of blood reputed to be Christ's, and the delicate relic draws both pilgrims and curious visitors who marvel at its ornate reliquary. Visitors can descend into a cool Romanesque crypt beneath the ornate upper chapel, then see a dramatic procession that carries the relic through the streets and still attracts huge, enthusiastic crowds.

Hoogtepunten: A tiny 12th-century phial, said to have been brought back by Count Thierry of Alsace, is kept behind a carved altar and once a year is carried through the streets in a procession with over 2,000 participants and flickering lanterns. Visitors climb a narrow stone staircase to two stacked chapels, the lower Romanesque room smelling faintly of beeswax and incense while the upper chapel’s gilded woodwork and medieval stained glass make the dim space shimmer like a reliquary.

Insidertips

• Dress respectfully; covering shoulders and knees is appreciated inside the chapels.
• Arrive at opening or late afternoon to avoid large tour groups and enjoy quieter views.
• Stand at the upper chapel railing for the best photos of the reliquary and nave below, and avoid using flash.
• If short on time, skip long guided tours and spend 15–20 minutes in the upper chapel, then stroll nearby Burg square.

Praktische info

Routebeschrijving

Officiële website

Meer attracties in Bruges

Belfry of Bruges (Belfort van Brugge)

Markt (Market Square)

Church of Our Lady Bruges (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

Groeningemuseum (Museum of Flemish Primitives)