{"id":2852,"date":"2016-02-01T08:00:52","date_gmt":"2016-02-01T00:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jeffangiegoh.com\/?p=2852"},"modified":"2021-11-26T08:19:15","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T00:19:15","slug":"123-bruges-a-quiet-retreat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jeffangiegoh.com\/?p=2852","title":{"rendered":"145. Bruges: A Quiet Retreat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Great are the works of the\u00a0Lord, studied by all who delight in them<\/span>.<\/strong> [Psalm 111:2<\/span>, NRSV<\/em>]<\/p>\n

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A Small Medieval City<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bruges is a real gem of a city.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the center of Europe, but tucked away off the main highway of Belgium, almost as if nature is preserving this marvelously rich and beautiful testimony of human civilisation from the mad rush of the motorways, nestles the little medieval city of Bruges [\u201cBrugge\u201d in local Flemish].<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[L] Bruges canal. [M]\u00a0Church of Our Lady.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is incredible, breath-taking beauty and culture, endless eateries and Belgian chocolate pralines shops. Even the June issue of Malaysia Airlines\u2019 in-flight magazine spotlights the incredible tourist attractions this little riparian city holds for its visitors. Equally, and perhaps more important for us, this city combines its immense scenic beauty with a sheer, hidden-sort-of-way deep spirituality. Where in the world can you find such amazing combination?<\/span><\/p>\n

We shall explore a little that unannounced deep spirituality.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Basilica of Two Chapels<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tucked away in the back corner of Burg Square, nestles an inconspicuous and yet amazing building from the outside, but holds even more breath taking displays inside. This is the Chapel of the Holy Blood, also known as the\u00a0Basilica of the Holy Blood\u00a0(Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed<\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n

This little basilica consists of two chapels, a Romanesque lower chapel and a Gothic upper chapel. It was first constructed in the 12th century and promoted to the rank of\u00a0Basilica in 1923. The two chapels could not be more different: the Romanesque lower chapel is austere with very little decoration, while the Gothic upper chapel is resplendent with sumptuous colours and fine details.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two chapels are connected by a big brick staircase, which runs behind the grand facade as we see in the photo above known as the ‘Steeghere’ facing the square. The stairs and facade were built in late-gothic and Renaissance style in the 16th century, but demolished during the French Revolution. They were rebuilt in the 19th century. The gilded statues represent Flemish counts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Located at the end of a square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood appears somewhat dwarfed by other, far bigger and imposing buildings. Once inside, however, this very old and petite building comes into its own. It is very quiet and serene, and yet visitors spontaneously find themselves in awe by the history and spirituality they instinctively feel embedded in every one of the many paintings and artifacts that greet them everywhere they turn.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The Upper Chapel: The Chapel of the Holy Blood<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One can enter the basilica on the first floor where the Holy Blood is kept.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the top of the staircase, one immediately enters into a very atmospheric place of worship. Lit by light through the stained glass windows, coupled with a hint of incense, and the sight of a pulpit in the form of a terrestrial globe, one eases effortlessly towards reverence, just like in the Middle Ages. Augmenting the magnificent\u00a0atmosphere of this section is an ornate High Altar behind which is a colourful fresco depicting the Trinity that covers the entire breadth of the wall and rises to the ceiling. The whole ornate architecture and display of art and artifacts succeed at once to generate in the visitors an emotional feeling that they are in a very holy and spiritual place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span>\u00a0\"\"\u00a0<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

[L] Exterior of the basilica on Burg Square.\u00a0[Source Wikipedia]. [M & R] Chapel upstairs Chape comprising a magnificent section, and an inner section containing the reliquary\u00a0\u00a9 Holly Hayes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Off the main Chapel is the Chapel of the Holy Blood which has an ornately carved marble Altar and a magnificent tabernacle made of silver which houses the relic of Christ. This is his very blood, believed to have been collected by Joseph of Arimathea. This basilica is actually famous on account of this holy relic. The Eucharist is celebrated in this side chapel daily. Participants also have a chance to view the relic after Mass. It is important to check the exact time schedules.<\/span><\/p>\n

Concerning the Holy Blood, after all these years, the exact \u201chistorical records\u201d are somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Three versions of the historical account, amongst presumably many others that are readily accessible from the internet, are appended below for ease of reference:<\/span><\/p>\n