Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Blindekenskapel, Gothic chapel in Bruges, Belgium
The Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Blindekenskapel is a single-nave chapel built with dark red brick and sparse sandstone ornaments on its walls. It forms the heart of a residential complex with twelve houses arranged around a central courtyard, accessed through a narrow passage.
The chapel was founded in 1305 after Count Robert of Bethune's release from imprisonment. Originally built in wood, it was reconstructed in stone between 1417 and 1420.
The chapel takes its name from the blind residents who once lived here as part of a charitable community in the medieval city. Today, this heritage shapes how visitors understand the small courtyard surrounded by modest dwellings.
Access to the complex is through a narrow street on the southern side, so visitors should walk slowly and watch their surroundings. The quieter hours offer the best experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the peaceful setting of the small courtyard.
The chapel maintains a living tradition through an annual procession where a heavy candle is carried to the Church of Our Lady of Potterie. This ceremony has continued for more than 700 years and connects it to a wider religious community in the city.
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