Bruges is a charming city in Belgium considered as among the “best – preserved pre – motorized cities” in the country. This beautiful picture – perfect city has a good many sights that tourists can visit such as museums and churches.
The most notable of these churches is the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium.
Location
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium is located at Burg 10 within the Burg Square.
Getting There
You can take a bus going to the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium. Buses are actually the only means of public transport around the city. Taxis are also available.
Walking however is encouraged as you will enjoy walking down the cobblestone streets and viewing the other sights. Bikes are likewise available for rent.
If you don’t mind the bumpy cobblestone streets, biking is likewise an alternative to walking around the city.
What to See and Do
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium is divided into two chambers: the Upper Chapel and the Lower Chapel.
The Upper Chapel is designed in the Gothic architectural style. The chapel has stained – glass windows with depictions of the past rulers of Flanders County starting from Phillip the Bold until Maria – Theresia.
The pulpit takes on the form of a globe while the painting above the main altar has depictions of the “Mystery of the Cross” set against a background of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, places where Christ was born and died; respectively.
The Lower Chapel is the Chapel of St. Basil. On the right nave, is the Seated Madonna and Child. This chapel also houses the relic of Charles the Good as well as the relic of St. Basil.
There is also a museum inside the basilica. This museum has a shrine dedicated to the relic of the “Precious Blood,” said to be of Jesus Christ’s.
There are various other treasures inside the museum such as the crown of Mary of Burgundy, paintings, tapestries and many others.
Brief History
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium was built some time in the 12th century as a chapel for the home of the Count of Flanders. The estimated years that the church was constructed are between the years 1134 and 1157.
In the year 1923, the church was designated as a minor basilica.
The Chapel of St. Basil is designed after the Romanesque architectural style and while the Upper Chapel was re-constructed in a Gothic design some time in the 16th century and then underwent several renovations in Gothic – Revival style some time in the 19th century.
The relic of the Holy Blood was said to have been taken by Joseph of Arimathea, the person who supposedly gave his reserved tomb for the body of Jesus Christ after his Crucifixion.
Cost
There is no entry fee for the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium. The museum however charges an entry fee.
Entry fees are € 1.50 per person, € 1.00 per person if you are a group of at least 15 persons and € 1.00 for school visits.
Other Information
The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges – Belgium, including the museum, is open to the public from 9:30 in the morning up to 12 noon and 2 in the afternoon up to 6 in the evening; from the 1st of April up to the 30th of September.
From the 1st of October up to the 31st of March, the chapels are open from 10 in te morning up to 12 noon and 2 up to 4 in the afternoon.
Wednesday afternoons, the 1st of January, 1st of November and the 25th of December; the museum is closed.
