According to ancient tradition, Count Baldwin of Flanders brought the Holy Blood of Christ from conquered Constantinople to Bruges in 1203. However, modern research suggests that the relic likely only arrived in Flanders from the Byzantine capital around 1250. Since the 13th century, it has been venerated in a crystal vial in the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The famous Holy Blood Procession on Ascension Day still commemorates its arrival to this day.
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