Basilica of the Holy Blood

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Basilica of the Holy Blood
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsReligious Sites
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
About
This chapel contains a phial that reputedly contains Christ's blood brought back from the Crusades.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: St-anna
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See what travellers are saying
  • Rugbynugget
    Nottingham, United Kingdom406 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Be prepared for rude visitors
    This church is a sacred place, containing what is purported to be a file containing Christs blood. You can pay respects to the file whilst in the church. However our visit was spoilt by other visitors who didn't seem to have any respect for the building and were loud. There are signs everywhere asking for silence which are ignored.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 March 2024
  • MFaro
    Italy2,893 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Basilica of the Holy Blood
    The Chapel of the Holy Blood is located in the central Burg, flanked by several other points of interest. To access it you need to climb a staircase that leads to the upper chapel (there is also a lower one but dedicated to San Basilio). I recommend you visit regardless of religious faith. Very decorated in Gothic and Flemish style, the beauty of the stained glass windows is striking.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 April 2024
  • dakenas
    Alexandroupoli, Greece82 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    VERY BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE IN THE INTERIOR
    Very beautiful church. It is on 2 levels. On the ground floor is the church, where the services are held, while above is the area where there is a vial with the blood of Christ. The visit is free and anyone who wants to leave a donation to see it up close!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 10 May 2024
  • James G
    42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful medieval chapel
    Tucked away in a corner of the Burg square, this is a little gem. Exquisite and beautifully restored medieval chapels with interesting back story. Try to visit at either end of the day when the crowds aren’t there.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 June 2024
  • aacsmulders
    The Netherlands299 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good place of pilgrimage, entrance gives questions....
    The basilica has been familiar to me since my childhood, 45 years ago. I am grateful that the worship of the relic has been extended and one does so well and with reverence. The entrance raised questions, but I wrote to the "noble confrérie" about it in confidence, because of the international importance of this pilgrimage site. It makes me very grateful, whenever I am there. May many visit the basilica. The liturgy is very well taken care of!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 24 June 2024
  • KS
    Carlisle, United Kingdom47 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Moving. Worth a visit
    Worth a visit. Tucked away in the corner of one of the city’s squares please look out for it and make sure you pay a visit. I found the experience quite moving. Visit between 12-4pm for viewing of the blood.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 3 July 2024
  • Michael F
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1,553 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a quick pop-in
    Not a destination that will take you significant time nor one I would say you must prioritize unless you are a devout catholic, this small church is free to the public and runs on donations. Inside you'll find a lot of things typical of a church. However, what is unique is the opportunity to queue up to see an artifact which is said to be the Blood of Christ. It is presented for viewing daily, guard by a priest. The hours variety a bit by the season but are clearly posted in multiple languages.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 12 July 2024
  • lasolis1
    Leon, Spain4,318 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Curious church
    The building has two floors, each with a place for worship. The one below has low light, but it's very pretty. The one above, which houses the relic of the holy blood, which is displayed at certain times of the day, is impressive. The ornamentation of the walls is worth seeing and recreating there for a while. I don't know if you have to pay to enter, but when we went we were free, so we enjoyed it doubly.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 July 2024
  • Apfelbäumchen
    Fribourg, Switzerland147 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Relic of Holy Blood with indulgence possible
    A very beautiful church with a very special relic "of the Holy Blood". It is free to visit. However, if you want an indulgence, you can get it here. The relic is located in the 1. Floor of the building on its side. An official is sitting right behind her. You walk up a small staircase. Anyone who wants to throw in a donation. Then you worship the relic, then you can take a small note confirming the indulgence. I've never seen anything like this before, something very special...
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 24 July 2024
  • El-Gordito-1869
    Cologne, Germany737 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very extraordinary basilica - with the blood of Jesus as holy relic ... brought by a noble crusader !
    The basilica was built by the Crusader Count Dietrich of Alsace in the 12th century. It was this crusader who founded the ampoule containing the blood of Christ (holy blood relic) on the occasion of the Second World War. Crusade in Jerusalem for extraordinary bravery ... and then stored in his ancestral & native church in Bruges. - The history and interior & exterior design of the Holy Blood Basilica are highly exciting ... and the visit is a MUST in Bruges.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles5,200 reviews
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These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Sarah L
London, UK3,640 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
Came here during a day trip to Bruges and the queue was outside the door but thankfully moved quickly and we were inside within 20mins or so. There is no entrance fee and they do request you to maintain silence whilst queuing and inside. It is a stunning church though quite small. The main reason people visit is to see the holy relic supposedly containing Christ's blood but you pay a bit extra to do that.
Written 4 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gerald e
Barcelona, Spain1,130 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2024 • Couples
Long before the opening of the basilica a tail forms and takes on considerable proportions in a short time. All these believers aspire to approach the bulb that would contain the blood of Christ.
The façade is very elegant with its statues and gothic motifs but you must also admire the splendid wooden ceiling in inverted boat fairing, the marble balustrade, the bronze pulpit....
The adjacent paid museum contains an incredible number of treasures despite its small size and you will learn the incredible history of the lacrosse that leads the annual procession.
Automatically translated
Written 23 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GabrielaSeevetal
Seevetal, Germany10,420 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2024 • Couples
Next to the town hall stands the Holy Blood Basilica built in 1529–1534. The upper church in Flamboyan style with gilded sculptures on the façade is reached by stairs. The interior with lots of gold and wooden ceiling exudes a pleasant atmosphere. On Fridays, a church worker presents the relic - a drop of the Holy Blood of Christ in a glass roll. You worship the relic together and you can make a donation. In the Romanesque lower church (1139-1149) a relic of St. John is preserved. Basil worshipped (entrance to the left of the stairs - somewhat hidden).

Admission: 2,50 €

Opening hours: daily 9:30 am – 12:30 pm / 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Automatically translated
Written 7 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ALFA30
Madrid, Spain920 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
The impressive basilica with a beautiful altarpiece, an interesting pulpit for regulars in the area, beautiful stained glass windows with the history of Spanish domination.
Although we could not see it, a container that contains the blood of Jesus is supposedly exposed.
The museum attached to the basilica is a deception and is not worth paying €5 per person to see ONE ROOM, which is true that it exhibits important works of goldsmithing of the time, but you think that somewhere it will continue in others stays.
Google
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann C
Nashville, TN3,374 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This church is famous for its relic of the blood of Christ which is said to have been brought here in 1150.

If you want to enjoy the church and have a prayerful/meditative moment be sure to arrive early, because a few hours later, once the relic is brought out a long line can form and the church becomes crowded.

The church is free but as you approach the relic there is a box and a sign where it is suggested that you give a donation to help maintain the church.

I had already purchased candles and postcards in the gift shop and made a donation earlier in the morning so when I came back to see the relic I did not think it was necessary to give more. Unfortunately I had a poor experience because I did not give anything to the box...a priest was watching the relic, anyone who gave money to the box received a little paper and apparently because I did not give money to the box I did not receive the little paper. I found this cold. How much could the little paper cost that they choose to monitor who gives money and who does not. Sad. Very sad.

Check the hours on-line at the church's website before going because I think the hours change depending on the day or time of year.
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather S
Glasgow, UK7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2024 • Couples
The church was absolutely beautiful, the murals painted on the walls were absolutely stunning. We arrived at the church for the viewing of Christ's blood and waited in line, the queue went down very quickly and did not have long to wait. We are not religious but to see this is just awe inspiring. It is very quiet as there is people praying when they see this religious artefact. It is a very small unassuming building in the right hand corner of the square but it has made a very big lasting impact and I am so glad I have visited this church. I would highly recommend a visit.
Written 14 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janet K
Houston, TX4,492 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
I would suggest not missing this when you are in Bruges. The church is unique and worth visiting and, Of course, it is very special to see how the blood of Christ is shown. The museum is one room and small but the items are interesting if one would like to give 5 euros as basically a donation.
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charlotte L
Southampton, UK159 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
Beautiful chapel which was free to get in. A donation is suggested if you wish to view the vial of Jesus' blood which seems fair enough. Can't take photos of Jesus' blood, but can take photos inside the building more generally.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Herbert C
1,867 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Couples
Located in Burg Square and dating back to the 12th century, one can truly appreciate the rich architecture and history of this Romanesque-style basilica which has withstood the ups and downs of Bruges over the centuries. Famed for being the repository of a vial containing the blood of Christ, this basilica comprises a lower and upper chapel. Not to be missed are the stained glass windows, the unique wood-panel ceiling, the De Steegheere staircase, gilded bronze statues and the mural decorations of the interior wall. The chapels are accessible for free to visitors, but admission fee is charged for the Treasury Chamber. A worthwhile stopover whilst in Burg Square!
Written 14 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

galadiel67
Chiavari, Italy3,740 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
It's perhaps the attraction I liked most about Bruges, because it's unexpected and silent. The church has a façade embedded in the other buildings overlooking the Burg. It is in Romanesque-Gothic style and was built shortly after 1100 A.D. It is articulated on two floors: below there is the Romanesque chapel of San Basilio, above that of the Holy Blood, Gothic.
The homonymous relic is preserved there, a vial brought to Bruges by the Crusaders inside which is a strip of fabric soaked in the blood of Jesus. Every afternoon she is shown and long but fairly sliding lines form to watch, kiss or recite a short prayer that is delivered on a small multilingual foldout when you are in front of it. One sentence says, "Make me a person with a loving heart."
Automatically translated
Written 1 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges

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