Paris1972-Versailles2003

Again, on my road warrior tales in Europe. I had the chance to have family near the Belgian border that allowed me over the years to enjoy Belgium. I have come many times on the Thalys trains and by car, By car, took advantage to visit the beautiful Brugge or Bruges in French.  My first time here was following an important Spanish footballer from my Real Madrid who was transfer to the local team (see post) , and of course, once in town fell in love with Brugge ! Therefore, let me tell you about one of its most important monument, the Basilica of the Holy Blood of Brugge !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a pilgrimage place from a long time, explaining the procession of the Holy Blood and located on place du Bourg in Brugge. It is rather small and can best be describe as having on the ground floor, the Saint-Basile Chapel or Lower Chapel that has kept its Romanesque style and its imposing cylindrical pillars. It contains a bas-relief, dating from around 1300, which represents the baptism of Christ as well as a polychrome wooden Virgin. Apart from a 12C Romanesque crypt, the basilica is continued by a beautiful spiral staircase from 1530 allowing access to the Chapel of the Holy Blood or Upper Chapel, in Gothic style and dating from 1480. This was also of Romanesque origin before being transformed; it allows you to discover the relic of the Holy Blood.

Inside, the Chapel of the Holy Blood is also a chair of truth of 1728 and wall paintings from the 19C. The high altar is of Jean-Baptiste Bethune and the wall fresco the surmond is René de Cramer , and Frans Coppejans. The Hunting of the Holy Blood (1617), religious clothes and paintings, including a triptych representing a Pietà, offered in 1519 to the brotherhood of Saint-Sang by the master of the Holy Sang are exhibited in the Museum adjoining the basilica. The great mural after the main altar was made in 1905. In the upper part, the “mystery of the cross” represents Christ shedding his blood, and in the background, the cities of Bethlehem, where he was born, and Jerusalem, where he died. The lower part represents the transfer of relic from Jerusalem to witches: to the left, theodoric of Alsace receives the relic of Balduino III, king of Jerusalem; To the right, kneeling next to the Countess Sibila de Anjou, delivers the relic to the chaplain. The main altar that is used today to celebrate Mass is decorated with a bas -relief in alabaster of the early 17C that represents the last dinner. Near the main altar, the typical attributes of a basilica are exhibited: the tintinabulo (small processional bell) and the conopeo (kind of processes of red and yellow silk processional).

A bit of history I like tell us that originally, there was a chapel dedicated to Saint-Basile, in the Romanesque style, erected at the beginning of the 12C. During the same century, it was built according to the wish of the then Count of Flanders, Thierry d’Alsace, who had brought back the relic of the Holy Blood because it was found in the Holy Land during the second crusade. This relic is brought back from Jerusalem by Leonius of Furnes, chaplain of Thierry d’Alsace then preserved in these places since 1150. Subsequently, the building was altered several times, as shown by the transitional style of its Gothic and Renaissance façade. Originally a simple church,it was raised to the rank of Basilica of the Holy Blood in 1923.

The official Basilica of the Holy Blood : https://www.holyblood.com/homepage-of-the-basilica-of-the-holy-blood

The Brugge tourist office on the Basilica of the Holy Blood : https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage/basiliek-van-het-heilig-bloed-basilica-holy-blood

There you go folks, another wonderful monument in beautiful Brugge to make it a must to visit. The whole area surrounding the Basilica is wonderful for walking ans soak in the history and architecture of the place. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Basilica of the Holy Blood of Brugge as I

And remember, happy travel, good health, and many cheers to all !!!