Basilica of the Holy Blood

Firstly this place is free, unless you want to see the separate tiny museum for a few euros, but it’s completely optional. It’s a stunning place, very warm and the holy blood is watched over by someone praying over the blood, which creates a very religious feeling. I’m not particularly religious but it’s nice to be around such devotion. There are a few winding steps up to the main place and no lift that I’m aware of. Definitely worth visiting as it’s free and right in the main area.

I’ve visited many churches in Belgium, but this one is truly unique and stands out among the rest. The atmosphere here is deeply religious, cultural, and breathtakingly beautiful. Walking inside feels like stepping into a historic place that holds great significance. One of the most remarkable aspects is the opportunity to see the Blood of Jesus, a revered relic that is only displayed for a few hours each week. By sheer luck, I was able to witness it during my visit, and it was a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend visiting this incredible church and planning your trip carefully to ensure you can see the relic on display. It’s a must-see destination that offers both spiritual and cultural enrichment, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits.

This basilica is different from what we usually see in Europe. Its unique outlook in black. And inside you can take picture quietly but at the middle part of the basilica it is not allowed to take photos. Please beware of that.

Stunning 12th century basilica integral to Bruges history. It is a unique build that houses a relic said to contain a vial with drops of Jesus' blood. The stain glass windows are magnificent. The relic is out from 12pm-16:00 I went during off-season, so it was not crowded. But it can get very crowded during Holy Week and the Christmas Markets.

Beautiful Basilica they are well maintained it authenticity. It was extremely crowded during December. Overall it is a must see if you are in Bruges

Visiting this Basilica is different from visiting the tower churches throughout Europe. None the less, this might be one of the most beautiful and serene in all of Europe.

One of the must visit destinations of Bruges. We visited on Christmas time so the Jesus Holy Blood was exhibited for the public to see, thought it's not allowed to take picture of the historical relic. The glass windows, wall paintings, ceiling,... are magnificent

The Basilica houses a sacred vial containing a cloth that is stained by the blood of Jesus Christ. It was a moving experience to see it face to face and visit this basilica which is also outstanding in beauty and a quiet place to pray while listening to the Gregorian chant. It is not allowed to take a picture of the relic.

Very ornate church! Paintings all over the cathedral! It is beautiful to walk through! Free to visit! Absolutely worth the stop when in the area! It was a quick stop for me less than 20 minutes spent!

Not a destination that will take you significant time nor one I would say you must prioritize unless you are a devout catholic, this small church is free to the public and runs on donations. Inside you'll find a lot of things typical of a church. However, what is unique is the opportunity to queue up to see an artifact which is said to be the Blood of Christ. It is presented for viewing daily, guard by a priest. The hours variety a bit by the season but are clearly posted in multiple languages.

Basilica of the Holy Blood is a smaller but beautiful church to visit. Every day the relic of Holy Blood is available to see every afternoon from 2 to 4PM and additionally on Friday from 10:15 to 11AM. The line was short so we were able to see Christ's blood pretty quickly. This church is free to visit so it's worth checking out.

Deze basiliek is absoluut een bezoekje waard voor de architectuur en geschiedenis alleen al. Of je nu gelovig bent of niet, het is zeker een plaats waar je stil van wordt. Het heilige bloed is goed zichtbaar omwille van de glazen koker waarin het werd geplaatst. Wij hoefden geen ticket te betalen om binnen te gaan, al wordt er wel overal om donaties gevraagd. De schatkamer is wel ter betaling.

Like Ray and Ken from the movie "In Bruges", I'm sightseeing in the city to get my cultural fix. Luckily for me I'm sightseeing under much more pleasant circumstances. After the Belfort, the cultural attraction that is most often associated with Bruges is the Basilica of the Holy Blood. It is tucked away in a corner next to Burg Square. The chapel was built to house a tabernacle safeguarding a vial containing Jesus' blood dabbed from a cloth during his crucifixion. According to legend Joseph of Arimathea collected the blood. It remained in Jerusalem until the vial was given to Thierry of Alsace as a gift by his half-brother-in-law for helping out in the Second Crusade during the 12th century. In reality its origin may have been more grim as most likely this relic was looted from Constantinople at around the same time. Veneration of the Holy Blood is conducted from 11:30-12:00 and from 2:00 to 4:00 every day. Admission is free. The sight can easily be visited in 30 minutes. --- The basilica itself is divided up into two chapels: the lower chapel designed in the older Romanesque style and the upper chapel designed in the newer Gothic style that houses the relic. The exterior facade and staircase links these two chapels together. - The lower chapel is dedicated to Saint Basil the Great. The chapel houses a relic said to be from the saint himself. In comparison to the upper chapel, the lower chapel is more simple and bleak. - The upper chapel was once done in the Romanesque style but then renovated in the Gothic style. One of the frescoes depict the vial's origin story. - For about €2.50 you can go inside the treasury. Though not necessary you can view more items including a reliquary where the vial is carried around on procession days. PS: The Jerusalem Chapel was used in the movie to simulate the "Basilica of the Holy Blood" as the real church wouldn't let them use their facilities during filming.

While I am not religious, I do enjoy going to churches to admire their architecture. This Basiilca was tiny and very ornate with gold gilting. Oddly enough you needed to ring a bell to get the elevator up to the second floor (like a speakeasy). Once their the church itself is unassuming until you see the shiny gold gilt. We missed the traditional procession that takes place and apparently is well turned out by tourists and locals. It is a nice place to stop, sit and reflect. You can also pray or light a candle if you are into that. You can also take photos if you like but set your camera or phone correctly (no flash) as it is surprisingly dark inside despite all the gold. Worth a stop, it is near the Stadhuis.

There is so much old architecture in Brugge, you get stuff stack next to, behind and even on top of each other. This 12th century basilica holds the the relic of the Holy Blood from Thierry of Alsace. The lower chapel to St Basil is Romanesque while the upper is both Gothic and Bothic revival. Im not totally into the religious stuff but the historic architecture is truly fascinating especially when you grow in an area where the 1950s is as old as it generally gets

Being Catholic, visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood was on my list of sites to see while in Brugge. My mom and I picked the perfect time, right before Mass on a weekday morning. The line to see the relic of Christ's blood was short, and while even my Catholic self doubted this really was the blood of Christ, it did offer a few moments to quiet prayer and reflection before the nun in front of me shooed me off. The church is free to visit and ornate compared to the churches in the States. My mother and I also attended Mass here the next day, granted we could only understand the Latin (both of us being taught in a Catholic school after all). It was a nice respite from our constant travels and felt like we were with our people, so to speak, for a moment. Even if you're not Catholic, it's still worth a moment to pop in and look around. You can't beat free.

Not only can you come here to pray, but you are sitting in a very ancient place. I think it's around 1100 a.d. And apparently Jesus Christ's blood is here. Brought here by the Knights. Come here. Enjoy:)

Tucked away in the corner of the Burgh is a most fascinating and old basilica. Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed, The Basilica of the Holy Blood. We had been to Bruges twice before and were determined to make a visit this time. Walking into the lower chamber, De Basebasilica Sint-Basilus. A 12th century Romanesque structure. The only fully preserved Romanesque church building in West Flanders. An overpowering feeling permeates your body. Normally, I am not overcome by buildings but, this one, has a strong aura about it. The strong stone and the various statues are extremely moving. Upstairs in the main building. This Gothic upper chapel dates from the 15th century. A wonderful building. Unfortunately I felt uncomfortable about taking photographs as Holy Communion was being conducted. I managed two, one of the main chapel and one of the pulpit. A moving experience that everyone should try to enjoy.

This Basilica - also called Heilige Bloed Basiliek - is beautiful, though quite small and not too ornate on the scale of European Christian churches. It's in the centre of Bruges (Brugge) and is free to visit. What makes it noteworthy is that it holds a relic, purportedly some Christ's spilled blood. The blood is contained in a huge, multi-layered golden reliquary. Most of the time this reliquary is on display in a small museum room next to the entrance to the basilica which also holds other old religious items, many of them relating to the blood. Entry to this museum is just EUR1 for adults. Each day (except Wednesday) the reliquary is brought into the basilica at 11am and for an hour in early afternoon. Like many such relics in other cities around Europe it's paraded around town on Ascension Day.