Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges

Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a 12th century minor basilica that houses a relic believed to be the Holy Blood of Christ, collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought to Bruges by the Count of Flanders. The Basilica has two levels, both originally in Romanesque style, with the upper chapel transformed to the more ornate and lively Gothic Revival in the 15th and then 19th century.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a 12^th century minor basilica that houses a relic believed to be the Holy Blood of Christ, collected by Joseph of Arimathea and brought to Bruges by the Count of Flanders.

The Basilica has two levels, both originally in Romanesque style, with the upper chapel transformed to the more ornate and lively Gothic Revival in the 15^th and then 19^th century. The upper church is where the preserved rock-crystal phial containing the cloth smeared with the blood of Christ can be seen. Wall paintings behind the high altar depict the mystery of the Cross, where Christ shed his blood. In the background you can see the towns of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The frescoes below illustrate the story of the journey of the relic to Bruges. The lower church has the chapel of St Basil, whose relic is housed in the adjoining 16^th century chapel of St Yves.