Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood)

The Basilica of the Holy Blood was elevated to the status of Basilica in 1923, due to the special veneration of the Holy Blood. It consists of an upper and a lower chapel. The lower chapel, dedicated to Saint Basil, is a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the coastal region. The soberly decorated chapel is roofed by stone rib-vaulting on heavy pillars. Above the entrance to the side aisle, you’ll notice a remarkable half-relief depicting the Baptism of Christ (School of Tournai, 12th century).

The 'Steegheere' staircase, with reconstructed bluestone facade, in transitional style between late Gothic and early Renaissance, leads you to the upper chapel. The Relic of the Holy Blood, said to have been brought to Bruges by the crusaders, is kept here in the Chapel of the Holy Blood. The Chapel was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, but is mainly important for its late-19th century neo-Gothic decoration. 

The chapel also houses the museum of the Basilica, a kind of treasure chamber with numerous valuable works of art mainly related to the veneration of the relic of the Holy Blood. Among other things, several valuable works of art are kept here that are among the top pieces in Flanders, such as the Great Shrine of the Holy Blood manufactured by the silversmith Jan Crabbe in 1614.