Basilica of the Holy Blood

About Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges, Belgium is a beautiful Romanesque and Gothic church that is home to a sacred relic – a vial of Jesus Christ’s blood. The church is open to visitors year-round, and there is a small museum on-site that is dedicated to the relic. The Basilica of the Holy Blood was consecrated in 1127 and was built on the site of a previous church that was destroyed by fire. The current church is a mix of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bruges. The highlight of the Basilica of the Holy Blood is the vial of Jesus Christ’s blood. The relic is said to have been brought to Bruges by Thierry of Alsace, the count of Flanders, in 1150. The vial is displayed in a gold and crystal reliquary in the church’s main chapel. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sundays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. There is a small museum on-site at the Basilica of the Holy Blood that is dedicated to the relic. The museum contains exhibits on the history of the church, the vial of Jesus Christ’s blood, and the Thierry of Alsace. Admission to the museum is also free, but donations are accepted.