Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines: on its way to being classified by Unesco

Belles Demeures 22 Mar 2020
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In the Belgian province of Hainaut, the Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose is preparing itself to be classified on the worldwide patrimonial list of Unesco.

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Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
The former hospital institution features bedflowers and picnic areas. © Francis Vauban
Sommaire

South-West of Brussels, one of the oldest convent-hospitals in Europe, erected in the middle of the 13th century by Arnould IV and his spouse Alix de Rosoit, has now become a very special museum. Between its Baroque chapel, its cloister, a room for invalids, a medicinal garden and its restaurant, it provides a fascinating visit that features its pharmaceutical and medical collections, following which you can go sample the small brasserie.

Unesco is saving the Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose

Forming a quadrangle, the building, marked by late Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, shelters many works of art and antiques. It underwent a number of renovations starting with the facade, before a cultural enhancement of the site was imagined, followed by its opening on the city. The goal being to make it a pole of excellence in order to encourage the requalification and the redynamisation of the Lessines urban surroundings.

<em>Modifier Article</em> Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
At night time, the cloister offers a solemn character inspiring respect. © Francis Vauban
<em>Modifier Article</em> Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
As in the former dining hall of the nuns, the site shelters a great many works of art. © Francis Vauban
<em>Modifier Article</em> Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
Very well preserved, the room of the Helkiase, an ancient medication, was used as a pharmacy. © Francis Vauban

A new artistic and cultural rendezvous

Exhibitions, inside and outdoor spectacle areas, archeological digs, construction work, subsidized by European funds, the Wallonian region and the regional French community are starting to come through. Its reinvented historical wealth has encouraged its curator, Raphaël Debruyn, and those of other major hosptial sites in France and Belgium, to unite their strengths. A strong commitment in order to radiate the universality of health patrimony by experts and Unesco authorities.

<em>Modifier Article</em> Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
Presenting a perfect scenography, the room for invalids features medical instruments of yesteryear. © Francis Vauban
<em>Modifier Article</em> Hôpital Notre-Dame à la Rose de Lessines : en route vers le classement à l'Unesco
Very popular, concerts of outstanding classic music take place in the chapel. © Francis Vauban

The Unesco Ambition, a long term recognition 

www.notredamealarose.be

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