Sint-Janshospitaal
Sint-Janshospitaal
4
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Sint-Janshospitaal owns six masterpieces by the Flemish primitive artist Hans Memling, as well as many religious paintings and sculptures. Objects of applied art, such as furniture, silverwork, medical instruments, reliquaries, archive documents, and apothecary pots reflect 800 years of care. Sint-Janshospitaal is one of the oldest preserved hospital buildings in Europe. In the museum, you can learn more about hospital life in the past and how the wards would have looked then. Furniture, paintings, sculptures, silverware, and pewterware are the silent witnesses of the care for bodies and souls that took place in this hospital through the centuries. The building’s supporting framework is also unique and is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. The old apothecary’s and herb garden is also well worth a visit. In the hospital chapel, the focus is all on the work of the most famous of the Flemish Primitives: Hans Memling. This painter lived and worked in Bruges in the 15th century and created his most important masterpieces here, including the famous Shrine of St Ursula, which was painted specifically for Sint-Janshospitaal.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Lindsay A8 contributionsFabulous buildingA very pleasant hour or so looking at medieval religious paintings & artefacts. The history of the hospital is amazing. Roof space is empty but worth it to see the 13th century roof timbers. Not too expensive to get in either.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 4 February 2024
- Dora ExplorerUnited Kingdom11 contributionsHighly recommended museum in BrugesWe thoroughly recommend this museum. When we first entered we thought we'd come to see a small collection in an old church, but we were wrong. The exhibition is extensive and includes a painting, 3-D discovery and audio experience of the space itself in medieval times - amongst many other things. Loved the local apothecary too - and the Hans Memling / Flemish Primitive collection. We must have spent at least 2 hours here.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 April 2024
- Jo P8 contributionsThought provoking and very helpful staff.Beautifully displayed. Easy to follow. Great value for money. An interesting few hours spent in great surroundings and upstairs was particularly thought provoking. After, we went next door to Lui for excellent wine, beer and tapas. Best day!Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 28 April 2024
- operalover939Toronto, Canada2,938 contributionsFascinating museumThis museum offers excellent insight into medicine and caring for the sick in the late Middle Ages and after. It has an old apothecary, but the chief interest in the hospital, which has excellent descriptions of the problems of medicine before the twentieth century. The highlight are the paintings by Memling. Some striking works of modern art are also on display.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 3 May 2024
- Kumquatdiner40 contributionsFor anyone who has been a caregiverExcellent, contemplative, productive, moving, interactive museum. Speaks especially to those in the healthcare professions, those who are grieving, or anyone who has been a caregiver. Sure to include the free audio guide as part of your visit.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 21 August 2024
- miffythevampirebatNottingham, United Kingdom165 contributionsNot a museum, definitely more of an art galleryWe went to visit this as we had the Museum pass and I had seen some pictures of the courtyard and the church altar etc. Had I paid 15euro to get in I think I would have felt a bit ripped off. Nothing really prepares you for being in the mindset of going to see an incredibly old medieval hospital and being met with the hyperrealistic statue of a pig mutant being cradled by a bewildered looking woman. It's not that the statue was bad or in any way badly executed but it's just plonked in the middle of the space with no information or explanation. The rest of the "museum" is similar. Some artifacts but sparsely scattered around. A gallery of beautiful paintings that don't have much to do with the hospital and then the actual church part. I understand it got renovated last year... might be an idea to up the marketing and make sure its advertised properlyVisited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,383 reviews
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Mrs S F
5 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Such a wonderfully presented museum which combines architecture, art and the history of medicine. A truly magnificent museum which is definitely worth a visit. You step inside from the usual chaos of the street to a quiet and low lit museum over two floors which is you admire art and the work of the church is most impressive.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belkys H
Oakville, Canada28 contributions
Nov 2019
The Memling Museum in Bruges, or Menlingnae, is one of my best recent museum experiences. First, Hans Memling paintings are masterpieces – mostly diptychs and tryptic. They transport the viewer to the historical context of 13th century Europe and are full of symbolism that represent that period.
Then, the building is an architectural jewel with a high ceiling, sustained by beautiful solid wood, and polished walls and floor. The building was part of the St John Hospital which functioned in medieval Bruges as a place of healing and rest from the Middle Ages to 1978. Finally, the display of the six Memling’s works accompanied by few art works from the same period, gives the sensation that each artifact is the center of the exhibition, which fully engages the viewer in the contemplation of them. Just before entering the exhibit, one can feel a sacred silence, a reverence characteristic of churches and holy places.
Hans Memling (1433-1494) was one of the later Flemish Primitives painters. This artistic flourishing period is distinguished by the refinement of oil painting and by an assiduousness to reproduce the visible world in as detailed manner as possible. Bruges was one of the wealthiest cities of the thirteen century and attracted artists who made Bruges the most praised city of the art of painting. Memling's artworks are displayed in other museums around the world.
Works of Hans Memling on display at the Memlingnae:
§ The triptych of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist
§ The Triptych of Jan Floreins.
§ Triptych of Adriaan Reins
§ Diptych of Maarten Van Nieuwenhove
§ The Shrine of St. Ursula – in the photo.
§ Sibylla Sambetha
© 2020 Belkis Herrera
Picture 2 and 3: St. Ursula Shrine and interior of the St. John’s Hospital Museum, Bruges
Then, the building is an architectural jewel with a high ceiling, sustained by beautiful solid wood, and polished walls and floor. The building was part of the St John Hospital which functioned in medieval Bruges as a place of healing and rest from the Middle Ages to 1978. Finally, the display of the six Memling’s works accompanied by few art works from the same period, gives the sensation that each artifact is the center of the exhibition, which fully engages the viewer in the contemplation of them. Just before entering the exhibit, one can feel a sacred silence, a reverence characteristic of churches and holy places.
Hans Memling (1433-1494) was one of the later Flemish Primitives painters. This artistic flourishing period is distinguished by the refinement of oil painting and by an assiduousness to reproduce the visible world in as detailed manner as possible. Bruges was one of the wealthiest cities of the thirteen century and attracted artists who made Bruges the most praised city of the art of painting. Memling's artworks are displayed in other museums around the world.
Works of Hans Memling on display at the Memlingnae:
§ The triptych of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist
§ The Triptych of Jan Floreins.
§ Triptych of Adriaan Reins
§ Diptych of Maarten Van Nieuwenhove
§ The Shrine of St. Ursula – in the photo.
§ Sibylla Sambetha
© 2020 Belkis Herrera
Picture 2 and 3: St. Ursula Shrine and interior of the St. John’s Hospital Museum, Bruges
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G D
Bruges, Belgium1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Solo
I arrived at the Sint-Janshospital museum this morning at about 10am. At the desk there was a family, who purchased tickets, an elderly man, who also purchased a ticket - as they were doing so a woman came in asking is she could use the bathroom but it's part of the museum you can only acces it if you have a ticket - then my turn arrived and I asked for one adult ticket (15 euros). There was no one behind me but she told me that I could purchase the ticket at the machine at which point I just left and saved myself the 15 euros. I've travelled to quite a few places in the last few weeks in Europe and I'm in Bruges for six nights but I must say that Bruges in particular truly has a knack for making the tourist feel like an inconvenience. There is a saying about resting on one's laurels. If you do come to Bruges, make it a day trip from Antwerp or Brussels.
Written 30 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karina K
Kleve, Germany121 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
The staff at the museum where really nice and helped us with everything we needed to know. There is a QR code so you have the whole tour on your smartphone. We were really excited to see the old pharmacy which was all around the building and we were disappointed to see just one time. The exhibit in the main building was interesting and you had a lot of space to walk around and take your time to see everything! Our tip is to go see the attic which it’s beautiful wooden roof and see the big sculptures at the back of the attic!
12 Euro is not worth the tour whatsoever. We are glad we had vouchers and didn’t “pay”.
12 Euro is not worth the tour whatsoever. We are glad we had vouchers and didn’t “pay”.
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luc060355
Sint-Niklaas, Belgium238 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Yesterday we visited this museum with a group of 30 people. Since there is 1 guide available per time slot for 15 people, we have reserved 2 guides. Both were very enthusiastic and knew countless anecdotes about the history of this hospital, the buildings, the daily lives of the brothers and sisters, as well as the sick, poor travelers and the homeless who received shelter and care here from the twelfth century. In a shrine you can admire six paintings by Memling. On the top floor there was an exhibition about global warming and its consequences for nature.
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tikki2015
De Haan, Belgium557 contributions
Feb 2021
We cme especially for the Memlinc exhibition paid 22,50 euro and wer quite disappointed. I have seen the shrin of Ursula in detail and some other portraits but none of hos contempary painters. Information was sometimes even too small. I did no understand the big screen with the wood fire at the attic; Anyway , always a pleasure to be around but not as professional as we expected;
Written 4 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BedforshireAndrewJC
Bedforshire142 contributions
Mar 2022
AVOID AVOID AVOID . Seriously bad and a total waste of money . This was the low point of a great weekend in the wonderful City of Bruges . This is NOT a hospital museum . Apart from two glass cases containing a few medieval medical instrument's there is nothing of interest to see. There are many religious paintings but no content or history or anything on display to do with a medieval hospital. I would go a far as to say this place is mis-described and mis-sold and it should not be allowed to remain open. As you move from room to room (and there aren't many) you expect the next room to house something of interest . Finally you climb stairs to the main event .... wait for it ....it was an empty room with a very nice timber ceiling . I wish I had spent the 24 euro for two on a couple of waffles .
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agapi x
47 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
The museum advertises itself as “immerse yourself in the history of care”!
We searched the hospital collection in vain! It's more like a church, has nothing to do with a former hospital!
And what do the cavemen in the attic have to do with care and healing?
The only interesting thing was the pharmacy in the annex.
Did NOT meet our expectations
Admission is at € 15.00 per person in proportion to what is offered is an outrage.
We searched the hospital collection in vain! It's more like a church, has nothing to do with a former hospital!
And what do the cavemen in the attic have to do with care and healing?
The only interesting thing was the pharmacy in the annex.
Did NOT meet our expectations
Admission is at € 15.00 per person in proportion to what is offered is an outrage.
Automatically translated
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,282 contributions
Nov 2022
Important for visitors to realize that this is not really a hospital museum but rather another art museum. The place houses some impressive works by Hans Memling and regularly has temporary exhibitions. The temporary exhibit on display during our visit was “Face-to-face with Death," which brought together impressive works from museums across Europe.
Written 18 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dora Explorer
United Kingdom11 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We thoroughly recommend this museum. When we first entered we thought we'd come to see a small collection in an old church, but we were wrong. The exhibition is extensive and includes a painting, 3-D discovery and audio experience of the space itself in medieval times - amongst many other things. Loved the local apothecary too - and the Hans Memling / Flemish Primitive collection. We must have spent at least 2 hours here.
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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