O.L.V. ter Potterie

Welcome to Own-zeh Lee-veh Vrow ter Pot-ter-ee, or Our Lady of the Potterie. We are standing before one of the most significant charitable institutions in medieval Bruges. …

We begin our exploration in the former hospital ward, a space that once echoed with the prayers and whispers of the sick and their caregivers. In the Middle Ages, hospitals like this were run by religious communities—in this…

The museum at Our Lady of the Potterie houses one of the most impressive collections of silver in Belgium. Most of these pieces were donated as 'ex-votos'—offerings given in thanks for a successful recovery or in petition for a…

We now enter the chapel to stand before the focal point of the entire complex: the miraculous statue of Our Lady of the Potterie. This thirteen-century white stone sculpture is one of the oldest in Bruges. …

Adjacent to the main hospital building is the historic pharmacy and the quiet cloister garden. The pharmacy is a fascinating space, filled with rows of ceramic jars and wooden cabinets that once held the herbs and medicines used…

As the role of the Potterie evolved, it became a significant 'asylum' or shelter for the elderly—the 'oudjes' of the city. In a time before state-run pension systems, institutions like this were vital for ensuring that people…

Finally, we must acknowledge the connection between Our Lady of the Potterie and the great tradition of Flemish Primitive painting. Many of the artworks in the collection were created by followers or contemporaries of masters…

As we conclude our tour of Our Lady of the Potterie, let us take a final moment of silence in the chapel. We have traversed seven centuries of history, from the hospital's founding in the twelve hundreds to its modern role as a…