Beautiful Places in Europe | Travel Guides & Hidden Gems

The Basilica of the Holy Blood was constructed in the 12th century and was promoted to the rank of Basilica in 1923. Since 1149, it houses a fragment of cloth stained with the blood of Christ, wiped from his body by Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion. The building consists of a lower and a upper chapel. The lower chapel is dedicated to St. Basil the Great and dates from the first half of the 12th century. This Romanesque chapel houses a relic of the Greek theologian brought back from Caesarea during the Crusades. The upper chapel was originally built in Romanesque style but was changed in Gothic style in the 15th century and the 19th century. It houses the actual relic with the blood of Christ which has been encased in a glass cylinder. Normally the relic is kept in the altar, but it is brought out regularly for visitors to kiss or touch it. Search location on Beautiful Places Map

The Belfry of Bruges (Belfort van Brugge) is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see for anyone visiting the historic heart of this UNESCO-listed city. Rising 83 meters high above the bustling Market Square, this medieval bell tower dominates the skyline and offers one of the best panoramic views in Belgium. A Tower Steeped in History Originally built around 1240, the Belfry once served as a treasury, watchtower, and municipal archive. After a devastating fire in 1280, it was largely rebuilt, and later enhanced with an octagonal upper stage between 1482 and 1486, giving the tower its distinctive silhouette that you can see from all over Bruges. The Cloth Hall at its base was the economic heart of Bruges during the Middle Ages, when the city was a major hub in the European cloth trade. Today, this combination of economic, civic, and architectural significance makes the Belfry one of Flanders’ most impressive Gothic buildings. Climb the 366 Steps Feeling adventurous? F...