Brugge is home to the world's oldest preserved hospital: St. John's. It expanded over the years and has become a museum to honor the work done there years ago.
It is hard to capture the amazing Medieval architecture in this town with photos. Layers upon layers of rooftops that date back to the Middle Ages bring a sense of history that you don't find in the United States.
I attempted to make a short video while we walked around through a small section of the building: https://youtu.be/rzgNuQhlCaI
Entrance
What follows are some paintings and other artifacts found inside. One thing that strikes me is the amazing detail and clarity present in these oil based paintings done by the Flemish artists of the past.
The Wedding Feast at Cannan.
Various art work and headstones
These headstones honor the nuns and priests that took care of the patients.
This hospital was open to the poor and traveller. It was what we would call a community hospital today which was entirely sponsored by the Church and State. It was a place of rest not only due to illness but rest from emotional cares. Prayer and nursing were the cornerstones of care here.
Below is the Altarpiece in the chapel.
John the Revelator Sees the End of the World
Mary and Jesus
John the Baptist Beheaded
The Nuns and Monks who commissioned the Painting
More pictures of Christ and Mary
A painting of how the inside was set up.
Note the Nuns serving food and caring for people.
The girls standing where a bed would have been. The chest dated to the 1700s.
We wanted to see more on the second floor but the kids were in need of food.
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