Gate to Sint Geertruids Gasthuis

About this artwork.

The entrance to Sint Geertruids Gasthuis consists of a richly decorated seventeenth-century gate. Above the entrance doors, between the sculpted stone heads of an old man and an old woman, there is an inscription which makes it clear that the guest house was thoroughly rebuilt in 1640: “Int iaer 1640 is met consent der H.H. Borgemest. ende Raedt dit gasthuis van nyes getimmert” (This guest house was rebuilt in the year 1640 with the consent of His Royal Highness, the Mayor and De Raedt). 

The Sint Geertruids Gasthuis was founded in 1405 as an inn for poor Catholic pilgrims. The pilgrims probably came to see the relic of John the Baptist in the Martinikerk (Martin's Church). The guesthouse was dedicated to Saint Geertruid, who was the patron saint of travellers. 

After the Reduction of Groningen in 1594, when the city switched to the Protestant faith, the Catholic complex was given a new function. Residents of Groningen aged fifty and above could buy their way into the guest house. Until their death, they were given not only housing, but also care. Until the eighteenth century, the guest house also had the status of “madhouse”: insane asylum. The “crazy folk” who ended up here could be visited on Sundays for a fee.

In 1954, the purchasing system was abolished because too few people were able to afford the high costs. Since then, the residents just pay rent. In the years 1989-1991, a major restoration took place, in which the houses were adapted to the demands of the time."

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  maker onbekend

• District
  Centrum

• Year of creation
  1640

• Art type
  Art in / on a building

• Material
  Stone