Procession of the Holy Blood
Every year on Ascension Day, the Procession of the Holy Blood passes through the historic city center of Bruges. The Procession of the Holy Blood was created in 1304 as an expression of gratitude and faith. More than 1700 participants sing, play music, dance and act. The style of the procession reminds of the Burgundian time when guildsmen, craftsmen, brotherhoods and rhetoric chambers were responsible for the performance of the scenes.
The dominating theme is the remembrance of the suffering of Jesus Christ. The biblical narrations constitute the basis of the procession. Thematically, the Procession of the Holy Blood is divided into four parts. The evocation starts with the Old Testament, from Creation to the prophets. Next comes the New Testament, from Birth in Bethlehem to Pentecost. The third part tells how the relic of the Holy Blood ended up in Bruges. In the last part, the members of the Noble Brotherhood of the Holy Blood accompany the shrine in which the precious relic is stored.
The next procession will take place on Thursday 18 May 2023.
Accessibility
The City of Bruges is doing everything in its power to ensure that all visitors can enjoy ‘Bruges's most beautiful day’.
You can stand anywhere along the route. You do not need to buy a ticket and can just choose where you stand. Watching the procession pass by is free.
If you would like to watch the procession seated, you will need a ticket. People with a disability can obtain a ticket at a preferential rate just like senior citizens or children.
This year, there are 5 zones provided for people with disabilities and their guide(s):
- Markt Zone
- Beurs Zone
- Gruuthuse Zone
- Noordzand Zone
- Zuidzand Zone
The following facilities are available in these areas: accessible toilet, seating or standing (subject to reservation) and assistance (subject to reservation). Only in Noordzand Zone are there no seats available.
If you want assistance, you will be contacted personally by a ‘buddy’. You can request the following forms of assistance: pick-up from a bus stop, drop-off in the neighbourhood or at the station, assistance when going to the toilet, individual assistance on the spot.
Tickets for the accessible area can be booked online, by email or at the Tourist office 't Zand (Concert Hall). You can use these tickets on presentation of the European Disability Card (the blue parking card for people with disabilities) or a national reduction card for public transport ("blue card").
You can't be there anyway? The procession will also be broadcast via livestream on www.bloedprocessiebrugge.be.
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today: 10:00 - 17:15The Basilica of the Holy Blood was elevated to the status of Basilica in 1923, due to the special veneration of the Holy Blood.
