Bruges, Belgium

Here’s some more from the Christmas-New Year’s Holiday trip. Leaving Holland, I worked my way south to Belgium. I started in Brussels, but took a side trip to see the town of Bruges – a much cooler city, in my opinion. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t inspired by a certain movie to visit. After all… “It’s a fairytale town, isn’t it? How’s a fairytale town not somebody’s fucking thing?” I was pleasantly surprised by how large the city was and how much there was to see and do, even though a lot was closed for a random holiday I couldn’t figure out. I kind of wanted a couple extra days there. More photos below the fold.

This photo above is from the inside of the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This gaudy silver reliquary holds a vial of what is supposed to be Jesus’ blood. I don’t believe it for a minute, but that won’t prevent them from taking it out for a daily mass of veneration. Below, you see Bruges’ central square, Markt Square.