The Procession of the Holy Blood takes place in Bruges on
Ascension Day every year. This is an ancient tradition
mentioned in a charter as early as 1291.
Each year the city of
Bruges has been attracting thousands of visitors to one of the
great religious pageants in Europe, the Procession of the Holy
Blood. For eight centuries the relic has been venerated by a
mile-long procession of 1,500 Bruges citizens, many in the
colorful medieval garb of Crusader or knight.
The relic of the Holy Blood was
brought to Bruges by Thierry d'Alsace, Count of Flanders in 1149,
presumably given to him by the Patriarch of Jerusalem in
recognition of his contribution to the First Crusade in the Holly
Land.
The
event is divided into two parts, beginning with biblical and
historic floats representing scenes from the Bible. The second
part depicts the journey of the relic to Bruges, carried by the
Count of Flanders, to its home in the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
This is one of the oldest and most beautiful historical and
religious processions in continental Europe, attracting thousands
of visitors and pilgrims.
There are three parts to the
procession : the first by tableaux and floats enacts scenes from
the Bible up through the coming of Christ and His Resurrection.
The second part depicts the return of the Count of Flanders to
Bruges. The third part is the contemporary part.
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