Lovely Bruges

After arriving in Bruges, we checked into the Brugotel, put our stuff down, and went into town, We wanted to get familiar with the city so that our Saturday of exploring would run smoothly.

On Saturday, we started out with JR climbing the bell tower, 366 steps. I sat this one out, as I did something similar in Indy and was in pain for a few hours. The first floor of the bell tower was built in the 1300s!

The Bell Tower

View from the top

View from the top

We visited the Church of Our Lady and saw a Michaelangelo sculpture: Madonna and Child. It is the only Michaelangelo piece to leave Italy. The Church was huge and just really, really old.

We also had the opportunity to attend Mass at the Basilica of the Holy Blood. It was said in Flemish, so it was a bit strange. However, the strangest thing happened at the sign of peace. The lady to my left turned to me to give my peace and every hair on my arms stood up: she looked exactly like my Dad's Mom. Granny, I found your twin in Bruges, Belgium! JR had noticed her earlier and thought the same thing..

The Basilica is famous for its relic of Christ's blood on a cloth contained in a glass vial. It was brought to Bruges in the 2nd Crusade (around 1150) and is considered one of the most holy relics in Europe. After Mass, it was available for veneration. One by one, people could go up to the vial and say a little prayer. A once in a lifetime experience. Here is where the relic is kept and other pics.

Alter where the relic can be viewed and prayed on.

Tabernacle where the relic is kept.

We spent most of the rest of the day going into shops, people watching, eating, having a beer at an Irish pub (which the building was built in the 900s!!) and avoiding an annoying bachelorette party. Great day in Bruges!

By the Minnewater