Religious site
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a small but profoundly significant church located on Burg Square in Bruges. It is best known for housing a vial said to contain a cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ, brought to Bruges during the Crusades. The basilica is actually two chapels stacked vertically: the lower chapel is a sober Romanesque space dating from the 12th century, while the upper chapel is a lavish Gothic sanctuary where the relic is kept. Visitors are drawn not only by faith but also by the serene atmosphere and the beautiful interior, which features intricate stained glass, a gilded altar, and a silver reliquary. The relic is displayed for veneration every Friday and on special feast days, especially during the Procession of the Holy Blood in May. Even for secular visitors, the basilica offers a glimpse into medieval piety and the enduring power of relics in European history.
Don't miss
- Veneration of the relic of the Holy Blood (Fridays and feast days)
- The Romanesque lower chapel with its massive pillars
- The Gothic upper chapel with colorful stained glass and a gilded altar
- The silver reliquary of the Holy Blood
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Basilica of the Holy Blood
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inHistorical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges4.9★ · 2,812 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$3 per personSee dates →
Best full dayBruges and Ghent - Belgium's Fairytale Cities - from Brussels4.2★ · 4,970 travelers~11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$64 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges4.9★ · 341 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$96 per personSee dates →More attractions in Bruges