Unveil The Procession Of The Holy Blood

Don't miss out on this all-out festival

Join the visitors

Each year on the Ascension Day, the Procession of the Holy Blood, a procession dating back to the middle ages no less, gathers onlookers throughout the world.

Onlookers fill the footways, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a few locals, people come in their thousands from around the world to see this! If you’re lucky enough to have planned ahead and rent one of the chairs along the footway you won’t struggle for a great view, the atmosphere was admiring and cheerful with plenty of oohs and aahs, many took photos while dancers, flag wavers, singers and floats paraded around the streets.

What Happens In This Legendary Festival?

Now, this is no small procession, I dare say a few thousand take part every year and a full year of planning and large groups of volunteers are needed, from as young as 3 months old (to play baby Jesus) to over 80 years old! We accidentally stumbled into a building expecting a market to see volunteers getting into costume, faces being painted and props galore! There are reenactments, military personnel, and police on horses, not to mention the adorable local schools dress up and perform for onlookers.

There are also Scout groups and musicians, and even several farmers brought their flocks…yes that’s right sheep, several flocks of sheep march their merry way through the streets along with a couple of camels no less – I kid you not! Where they found these things I don’t know but 110% for effort!

Let Me Explain

Now I’m sure that to those who knew the story, it made sense - to us, not so much. Thankfully sections of the procession are numbered, members of the procession held poles with numbers on top for those of us who are not familiar with the full story. But able to count - you’ll be able to figure out if you’ve missed one or where they start and end.

The story goes something like this…A gold vial of cloth soaked with blood - not just anyone’s blood but the blood of Jesus Christ - was brought to Bruges after the Second Crusade (that’s 12 century for those of us who need to google it) by a Flemish Count Thierry of Alsace and collected by Joseph of Arimathea. Apparently 40 days after Easter the dried blood became wet once more and it is this miracle they celebrate.

During the procession, two high-ranking members of the church carry the vial around for others to admire or worship. Others who take part in play roles such as pilgrims, Romans, Mary and Joseph and tell stories of the Old Testament and the history of Bruges.

A large number of those dressed in holy wear are actually church officials, 30 of which are of the Brotherhood of the Holy Blood who look after the reliquary in the church Basilica of the Holy Blood. This relic is so precious that in 2009 it gained United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) protected status, in other words, a protected world heritage piece that is unique, and has historically cultural and spiritual significance, now I’m not a religious person but I’d say that’s worth seeing.

The Planning Makes This Festival FLAWLESS

The market square is turned into a stadium with rows of seating and a gap in the middle, the procession ends in between the seating where there is a prayer ceremony. Just like the procession, it is held in different languages so if your Dutch, French or German (that’s right they have three official languages just to be helpful) isn’t up to scratch like me, you might understand the English!

Since this procession is held 40 days after Easter, the date of the procession changes each year so check the official site for all the info you need should you want to visit, this website.

Check out my post on Bruges including the canal tour and the Belfry Tower here.