Archaeological Museum of Bruges
The Archaeological Museum of Bruges combines a large number of different exhibits, but unlike other similar museums, there are a lot of interactive objects. Visitors to the museum note that children, from the youngest ages, may like it most. This is a great opportunity to spend interesting free time with your family and learn real historical facts. The museum is on the list of recommended attractions when traveling to Belgium.
Features of the Archaeological Museum of Bruges
In this place you can find out exactly how people lived in different periods of history, what objects they used in everyday life, what crafts they did, how they performed various rituals, including burying loved ones. Among the exhibits of the Archaeological Museum of Bruges there are many dishes, ranging from the most ancient to more understandable modern examples. There are also clothes - peasant women and men could wear these at different times. There are tools - machines for producing fabric, household utensils and furniture. All of them are numbered and with the help of information stands you can learn interesting and useful information about each one. There are examples of painting from different eras; they can also be examined in detail and their influence on the development of art as a whole can be assessed. The Bruges Archaeological Museum is located in the old quarter, open daily, and the entrance fee is relatively low.
St. John's Hospital
Next to the Bruges Archaeological Museum is the Hospital of St. John, usually they explore the sights together. The ancient hospital building appeared in the 12th century; initially it served as a hospital for the poor and travelers; Augustinian monks served here. It is noteworthy that today St. John's Hospital is considered the oldest medical institution in the whole world. But this is not the only thing that attracts tourists from different countries.
In the 15th century, the well-known painter Hans Memling worked in this place, and today the museum displays 4 of his major works. In the mid-15th century, he moved to Bruges and joined the Guild of St. Luke, a local guild of painters, sculptors, architects and other creative people, which later joined the Academy of Arts. According to legend, Hans Memling was wounded during the Battle of Nancy and sent to the hospital of St. John. In gratitude for the treatment, he donated several of his works to the hospital. In fact, he had absolutely nothing to do with military operations, but he painted pictures for the monks and gave them as a charitable gesture.
The most valuable work of his is considered to be the shrine of St. Ursula, painted by him. It depicts scenes from the life of the saint; the images are skillfully applied to the small surfaces of an elegant shrine. There are works here by other masters of painting, as well as ancient surgical instruments, books on medicine, ancient stretchers for the sick and much more, and the building itself makes quite an impression, it is very old and stores many memories and various imprints of history. St. John's Hospital is located at Mariastraat 38, and the Bruges Archaeological Museum is at Mariastraat 36A.
