Basilic of the Holy Blood
The Basilic of the Holy Blood is a double chapel of the city of Bruges. The lower chapel of Sint-Basilius (1139-1149), is the only Romanesque church of West Flanders entirely preserved. The Upper Chapel of the Holy Blood was given in the late 15th century in a Gothic style.
About this building
In 1134, Thierry of Alsace decided to build a private double chapel next to the Oud Steen, the first residence of the Counts of Flanders, transformed today into the town hall of Bruges. Thierry went on crusade a second time in 1147 during the Second Crusade. According to the tradition, Thierry of Alsace returned to his capital Bruges on April 7, 1150, with the relic of the Precious Blood. During the first half of the 13th century, the name of the upper chapel was changed to the Chapel of the Holy Blood.[2]
