Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges

Bruges (in Dutch Brugge) is a wonderful Belgian city located in the West Flanders region. Due to its numerous canals it is often called "The Venice of the North". The Ascension day is celebrated on Thursday, the 40th day after Easter Sunday. In 2013 it will be on the 9th of May.

On the Ascension day people of Bruges organize the Procession of the Holy Blood. The city has the relic of Blood of Christ. It is believed that this relic turns from coagulated state to liquid exactly on the Ascension day.

Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges

Over 3,000 people participate in the procession. The procession includes people wearing different costumes, horse-drawn floats, choirs etc. During procession short Biblical and historical plays are performed. More than 60,000 people watch the whole event. People of Bruges love it very much. They say that the day of the procession is "Brugges' Schoonste Dag" (The Most Beautiful Day in Bruges). In 2012 the procession was held on the 17th of May.