Visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood
The basilica is on the Burg, at number 13. This is the square next to the town hall, and it is not the same place as the Market Square with the belfry. The church has a lower church and an upper basilica. The relic is shown in the upper basilica.
Entry to the basilica is free. A separate museum and treasury charges a small fee. This independent guide gives you the practical details for 2026, and it describes the relic as the basilica itself does, as an object of religious belief.
Hours, prices and services
What applies when you walk in.
| What | When | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basilica visit | Daily 10–17:15 | Free |
| Museum and treasury | Check the current hours at the entrance | €5, under 12 free |
| Veneration of the relic | Daily 14–16, plus Friday 10:15–11 | Free |
| Mass | Usually at 11, except Monday | – |
During services
While a service takes place, the lower church or the upper church is open only to the people who take part. If the part you want to see is closed, come back later in the day.
Plan your visit around the relic
If you want to see the relic displayed for veneration, arrive between 14:00 and 16:00, or on a Friday morning from 10:15 to 11:00.
Behave as in any church
It is a place of worship. Dress modestly, keep your voice down and follow the instructions of the staff.
Our picks: tours with the Holy Blood Chapel
Two guided walks through the old town.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Small-group walk to the chapels and churches of the old town
Includes the Holy Blood Chapel, Saint Basil's Chapel, the Church of Our Lady with a short look at Michelangelo's Madonna, the Door to Narnia and a Belgian truffle.
Check availability →
Guided city walk with optional boat ride and beer tasting
A guided walk with a local guide. The boat ride and the tasting of four beers come only with the matching option.
Check availability →Bruges walking tours with the Burg
Guided walks through the old town that include the Burg, the town hall and nearby churches, with current prices and availability.
The relic and its story
The basilica keeps a relic that is venerated as the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ. Whether to see it as the blood of Christ is a matter of faith, and no scientific claim is made here.
A popular story says Count Diederik van den Elzas brought the relic to Bruges in 1150. The basilica's own site calls that story historically very doubtful. It points to firmer sources only from the 13th century. So treat the year 1150 as a tradition, not as a documented fact.
The town hall, shown in the picture, stands on the same square. It is a Gothic building, and it makes a good second stop on the Burg.
A half day around the Burg
One way to fit the relic hours into your plans.
Morning: the Market Square
Climb the belfry or walk around the Market Square. Book a belfry time slot if you want the tower. Read the belfry guide for prices and hours.
After lunch: the Burg
Walk over to the Burg, look at the town hall and enter the basilica. The relic is shown from 14:00, so arriving a little before the veneration begins gives you time to look around first.
The museum and treasury
Pay the €5 fee if you want to see the museum and the treasury. Children under 12 enter free. Ask at the entrance for the hours of the treasury on your day.
Church or museum first?
The church costs nothing, so look at it first. Decide on the museum and treasury afterward, depending on how much time you have left.
Procession of the Holy Blood
The Procession of the Holy Blood takes place in May. The 2026 procession was held on Thursday, 14 May.
The next procession is planned for Thursday, 6 May 2027. It starts at 14:30 at the Dijver. The procession takes about 90 minutes to pass any one point and ends at about 17:30. Arrive early if you want a spot along the route.
Streets and sights in the old town are busy that day, so check the opening hours of the places you want to see. The belfry guide and the museums guide list current hours.
Plan the rest of your day
The Burg is close to other main sights.
Basilica of the Holy Blood: frequently asked questions
Is the Basilica of the Holy Blood free?
Yes, entry to the basilica is free. The museum and treasury costs €5 in 2026, and children under 12 enter free.
What are the opening hours?
The basilica is open daily from 10 to 17:15. During services, the lower or upper church is reserved for people taking part.
When can I see the relic?
The relic is shown for veneration daily from 14 to 16, and on Fridays also from 10:15 to 11. It is displayed in the upper basilica.
Is the relic really the blood of Christ?
That is a matter of belief. The basilica says the story of its arrival in 1150 is historically very doubtful and cites firmer sources only from the 13th century.
When is the next Procession of the Holy Blood?
On Thursday, 6 May 2027, starting at 14:30 at the Dijver. The 2026 procession was on 14 May.