memling 1

Madonna & Kind (Michelangelo)

OLV-kerk Brugge tgo. St-Janshospitaal

St John's Hospital in Bruges... 

was established around 1150 or earlier... 

making it one of the oldest hospitals on the European mainland. 

The date 1188 is that of the first available document.

Ingang Sint-Janshospitaal

As in all medieval hospitals, the chapel was open.

Because... spiritual care was móre important...

than the physical one !

Hospices de Beaune

Patients should be able to hear mass, all of the services... 

that would go on 8 times during the day and night... 

the canonical hours [getijdengebed] or Divine Office.

If they are well enough, they could go into the chapel.

If they aren't, they could hear.

[bron]