Basilica of the Holy Blood

Visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood was one of the most emotional and memorable moments of my trip. Nestled on the historic Burg Square, this church may look modest from the outside, but once you step inside, it reveals an atmosphere filled with reverence, history, and beauty that truly takes your breath away. I felt incredibly special and grateful to be there. to stand in such a sacred space and even take a quiet moment to pray for something deeply personal. The basilica consists of two chapels: the lower Romanesque chapel of Saint Basil the Great, built in the 12th century, and the upper Gothic chapel, which was later renovated in the 19th century with vibrant paintings and intricate decorations. The church is believed to house a precious relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ, brought to Bruges from the Holy Land around 1150 by Count Thierry of Alsace after the Second Crusade. This relic is displayed in an ornate vial, and during certain times of the day, visitors can approach it closely to pay their respects or say a prayer. The interior is breathtaking, richly painted arches, colorful mosaics, and stained-glass windows that glow with biblical scenes when sunlight filters through. The details on the wooden ceiling and the patterns on the columns are exquisite; every corner seems to tell a story. I couldn’t help but feel humbled and moved, surrounded by centuries of faith and devotion. Even though it’s a popular site, people speak softly, adding to the peaceful, sacred feeling of the place. It’s not just a historical monument, it’s a space where you can truly feel a connection to something timeless and spiritual. Visiting this basilica was a profound and unforgettable experience.

It’s easy to miss the Basilica of the Holy Blood, as it’s tucked away in a corner of Burg Square. The basilica has two chapels: a lower chapel and an upper chapel. The lower chapel, dedicated to St. Basil the Great, is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The upper chapel is built in the Gothic style and was renovated in the 19th century, offering a stunning contrast to the simpler, historic lower level. Admission to both chapels is free, making it an accessible and rewarding stop. Adjacent to the basilica is a small museum (entrance fee €5) that traces the fascinating history of the chapel and the relic of the Holy Blood. In my opinion, this is an absolute must-see when visiting Bruges—a place where history, art, and spirituality come together in a remarkable way.

If you just looked at it from the outside, it’s kind of dark. It’s kinda old. It’s kind of scary. But inside, is a beautiful piece! Visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a two-part experience. The lower chapel, dedicated to St. Basil, is a striking contrast to the upper one. It's a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the region, featuring a dark, somber atmosphere with heavy pillars and stone vaulting. Climbing the staircase leads you to the vibrant upper chapel, a dazzling display of colorful Gothic and Neo-Gothic art. This ornate space is breathtaking, with intricate stained glass windows, rich tapestries, and beautiful paintings. The main attraction is the revered relic of the Holy Blood, housed in a magnificent golden reliquary. The transition from the austere lower chapel to the glittering upper chapel creates a powerful and memorable journey.

STUNNING!!!! There is a long line for people who want to kneel before the vial containing the relic of the Holy Blood, a phial believed to hold a cloth with the blood of Jesus Christ. The relic is presented on a reliquary and can only be viewed by visitors at specific times, often following a veneration ceremony. I didn't realize this was happening on the day/time I visited. But if you want to only see the basilica it is easy to get in and see the stunning ceiling.

This small basilica is located in Bruges, Belgium. It's claim to fame is the fact that it is alleged to house a vial of Christ's blood which is on display. The Church itself is beautiful with it's medieval decor. It can be regarded as an important stop for those interested in religious history.

My family and me Visited from Florida, USA. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. It’s a stunning Roman Catholic church in Bruges that holds a relic of the Holy Blood, which makes the experience even more meaningful. A must-see when exploring the city!

The interior decoration reminds us of the Saint Chapelle from Paris. It has two chapels, one downstairs and one upstairs. The last one is where is held a piece of the cloth that it presumed that was used to wash the Jesus' body. It is small, and people are crowding to see the "holly blood," but you can also contemplate the interior decoration, paintings of the ✝️ path of Jesus, and say a prayer.

It's a strange and beautiful place, a little church located near the biggest square. It contains the blood of Christ, a relic, or at least is said to. The style of the church is a mix of roman style and Gothic. There are a lot of colours.

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.