The striking Jeruzalemkerk was built between 1428 and 1465 and is a curious combination of Byzantine and Gothic styles. It was built by the Adornes family, originally merchants from Genoa, who had travelled on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and were so impressed by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that they built a copy of it in Bruges. There is even a copy of Christ’s memorial tomb in the crypt. Spared pillage or destruction throughout the centuries thanks to its private chapel status – the church is still owned by the family’s descendants – it is remarkably well preserved.

The alter is carved in a rather macabre fashion, with skulls and bones, and the cave-like atmosphere of the church is emphasised by the space behind the altar and above the crypt, which rises almost to the full height of the tower to create a rather eerie cavern.

Atop the tower outside sit the Jerusalem cross, and the wheel and palm leaf of St Catherine, to commemorate the journey of Anselm and his son to Jerusalem and Mt Sinai in 1470. *

More information on the church can be found here.

*Information from Insight Guides – Bruges Smart Guide.