Basilica of the Holy Blood - Bruges

According to tradition, Diederik van den Elzas , Count of Flanders in 1150, brought the relic of the Holy Blood to Bruges in 1150 after the Second Crusade. Since then, the precious jewel has been kept and venerated in the Basilica of the Holy Blood on the Burg. .

There will probably never be a complete agreement on the correct historical facts . The fact is that the legend carries a wealth of authentic folk belief and folkloric charm . This story has become so established for many centuries that it is impossible to imagine life without it. Nevertheless, the Benedictine Nicolas Huyghebaert published a critical study in 1964, which should show that the relic only came to Bruges more than half a century later . After the Fourth Crusade (1203-1204) led by Boudewijn IX, Count of Flanders, the relic from the sacked Constantinople ended up in Bruges.

The Bruges Procession of the Holy Blood, which certainly dates back to 1304, takes place every year on Ascension Day . For many years the procession has been thematically divided into four parts. In the first two parts, scenes from both the Old and New Testaments are reviewed. In the third part of the procession, the legend of Diederiek van den Elzas is staged. Part four outlines the rich tradition of relic veneration . Preceded by the members of the Noble Confrérie of the Holy Blood , two prelates carry the golden shrine with the relic .

Willem Vandenameele