- Address: Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Phone: +32 50 33 67 92
- Opening: 1157
- Architectural styles: Romanesque architecture, Gothic architecture
On Bürg Square, in Bruges , one of the oldest sights of Belgium is the basilica of the Holy Blood. This Roman Catholic church, originally built in the distant 12th century as an ordinary chapel, a little later became the main residence of the Count of Flanders.
What to see in the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges?
The temple consists of the lower and upper chapels. The lower chapel bears the name of St. Basil and consists of a lateral and central nave. Above the entrance to the building you can see a stone picture dating from the 12th century - the baptism of a saint. Go inside, on the right side you can admire the beauty of the wooden sculpture of a sitting Madonna with a baby, created in the 14th century. On the left side of the choir are the relics of St. Basil and the Count of Flanders, the Blessed Carl of Good.
If we talk about the upper chapel, it was originally built in Romanesque style, but already in the 15th century it was transformed into gothic. The main feature of it are the stained-glass windows, which depict the rulers of Flanders. Behind the altar is a large fresco, created in 1905. In its upper part, Christ is depicted against the background of the city of Bethlehem, and on the lower one one can see the process of transferring his relics from Jerusalem to Bruges. The altar itself in the Baroque style is decorated with a number of paintings depicting the Last Supper.
All over the world, this Belgian basilica is known as a temple in which a vase of rock crystal with a piece of cloth is stored, on which a drop of the blood of Christ was imprinted, which was brought to the city of Thierry in the 12th century during the Second Crusade. Interestingly, since his arrival in Bruges , he never opened. His lid is wrapped in gold thread, and the cork is sealed with red wax. The very same bubble lies in a glass gold cylinder, both sides of which are decorated with small figures of angels.
How to get there?
While in Bürg Square, walk 100 m to the east. Please note that no public transport passes near the basilica.
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