Bruges 2

I began my walk at the nearby late 13th century Gothic St-Salvators Kathedraal with its wonderful organ. From there I made my way to the Markt, where the Belfort or Bell Tower  with its 290 feet high octagonal lantern has dominated the square since the early 14th century. The tower combines medieval crenellations, pointed Gothic arches, round Roman arches and flamboyant spires. To reach the top one has to climb 366 steps, but it is well worth the effort for a peek into the carillon room with its 47 bells which chime on the quarter hour. Next stop was the Basilica of the Holy Blood, where several drops of Christ's blood, washed from his lifeless body by Joseph of Arimathea were preserved in a rock-crystal vial. In 1150 the Patriarch of Jerusalem gave the blood to a Flemish soldier, Derrick of Alsace as thanks for rescuing the city from the Muslims during the Second Crusade. Here is a wonderful stature of Christ after he was taken down from the Cross from that period. I would imagine the lady cradling Christ's body to be Mary Magdaline. Next door was the Stadhuis or City Hall with its elaborately carved and painted wooden ceiling, where one of Europe's first parliaments was convened here in 1464. Along the way I passed over picturesque canal bridges. My last stop was the towering Church of Our Lady.











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