Basilica of the Holy Blood
Heilig-Bloedbasiliek
A Romanesque chapel with a Gothic one above it, holding a relic of the blood of Christ.
The lower chapel dates from the 12th century and is one of the best Romanesque buildings in Flanders. Above it, the richly painted upper chapel keeps a relic said to hold drops of the blood of Christ.
Every year on Ascension Day the relic is carried through the city in the Procession of the Holy Blood, with hundreds of townspeople in costume.
More in Bruges
MarktBruges’ market square, with the Belfry on its south side and the Provincial Court on the east.
BelfryThe 83-metre belfry over the Markt: 366 steps up to its carillon of 47 bells.
BurgThe square of the city hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the old court.
City HallOne of the oldest city halls in the Low Countries, begun in 1376, with a Gothic Hall full of murals.
RozenhoedkaaiThe most photographed corner of Bruges, where the canal turns under the Belfry.
GruuthuseThe palace of the lords of Gruuthuse, who could tax gruut, the herbs for brewing beer.
Church of Our LadyIts brick tower of 115 metres is one of the tallest in the world; inside is Michelangelo’s Madonna.
St Saviour’s CathedralBruges’ oldest parish church, which became its cathedral in the 19th century.
BegijnhofThe beguinage of 1245: white houses round a lawn of tall trees, still home to a community of nuns.
MinnewaterThe “lake of love” at the south end of the old town, with swans and a lock house.
Horse carriagesHorse-drawn carriages clip-clop through the old town from the Markt.
Canal boatsLittle open boats glide along the reien, the canals of Bruges, under low bridges.
Bruges laceBobbin lace, made by hand in Bruges since the 16th century.