Сакральное место sacred place

Rating 9110

The basilica consists of 2 parts. The Romanesque lower church dates back to the 12th century and is the oldest building in Bruges. And in the upper one you can climb the spiral staircase from another entrance. This two-level chapel (the name "basilica" was given only in 1923) was owned by the Count of Alsace, who dedicated it to St. Basil the Great, placing his relics there. But after finding the relic of the Holy Blood, the church was renamed. The lower part of the chapel still retains its Romanesque structure. In two attached aisles, one can find a deeply revered statue of “Jesus on the Cold Stone” and a representation of Christ in the Tomb. The upper church, rebuilt in the 19th century in neo-Gothic style, now houses the relic of the Holy Blood, which is honored every Friday.
According to legend, the Count of Alsace, returning from the Crusades to Flanders, received on the day of the Nativity of Christ a few drops of the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ, which he presented to the city upon his return. In honor of this relic, a procession of the Holy Blood of Christ is organized every year in Bruges. Admission is free, from 2 pm to 4 pm. you can see a capsule with holy blood.