We took a trip to Bruges, Belgium which was just beautiful. Bruges is the capital and largest city of the West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is a medieval city dating back to the year 1128 when the city received it's charter. It has an amazing history and equally amazing architecture noted in Market Square by the belfry towers. It is sometimes called the Venice of the north, because of the canal system.
I wanted to see the Madonna and Child, by Michelangelo at the Church of Our Lady. It is the only work of Michelangelo to ever leave Italy and was completed shortly after the "Pieta" sculpture located in the Vatican. It depicts Jesus almost standing upright between the knees of His Mother Mary. In 1972, when the "Pieta" was attacked, this work was placed behind glass and is about now about 15 feet away from the viewing public. I was so happy that I got to see this for myself. I was definitely not expecting what I experienced shortly afterwards. We walked a little further and came upon the Basilica of the Holy Blood that was built around the 13th century. We happened upon a Mass which was near ending. We sat down and my daughter noticed that the priest took a seat on the side of the church. This is when we saw that people were lining up near a short flight of steps. We never knew that the Holy Blood of Christ, said to be brought here by the Templars is brought out before and after mass on Fridays to be venerated by the faithful. I did get up want you to know that I cannot speak of it here for my fear that it would be irreverent. I will remember this experience always and have been blessed once more. In May there is an annual and very famous Procession of the sacred relic of Christ's Blood through the streets of Bruges during which some dress as medieval knights and crusaders.
It is wonderful to see everyone riding bicycles throughout the town and they are everywhere. There are beautiful horses trotting at a fast pace pulling carriages and the sound of their shoes is awesome. We stopped to have a little lunch and enjoyed some Flemish stew. Every restaurant has a gorgeous warm fire burning in the fireplace and is so welcoming when you have been out in the damp cold. After some browsing and shopping we came upon a beautiful little tea salon and restaurant. Are you waiting for me to tell you that I had an authentic Belgium waffle? Of course I did, and it was so fabulously light and delicious. I have never had anything like it before. It was served with chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream and créme chantilly along with a hot café creme. I was surprised to see just how many Belgium chocolate shops there were. I bought some for now and bought some for the apartment.
The pictures here are of my husband, son and daughter, and as you can see, my son is enjoying a Belgium beer after lunch. The bulbs have started showing up for spring, and the beautiful horse drawn carriages are shown here as well. We had a really wonderful time in Bruges, Belgium.
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