The hospital was founded by Alix de Rosoit, the wife of the founder of Lessines, to provide care to the poor and pilgrims.
The infirmary hall is built with a vaulted ceiling and remains largely unchanged since its medieval construction.
The site includes a remarkably preserved 17th-century pharmacy with original wood paneling and rare glassware.
It is one of the only hospitals in Europe that kept its original inventory, including medical tools dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
The hospital is designated as a heritage site of major importance by the Walloon Region.
The monastery garden, still maintained, was once the primary source of healing herbs for the infirmary.
The hospital is uniquely situated on the banks of the Dendre River, which provided both water and defensive access in the Middle Ages.
Hospital Our Lady with the Rose is a 13th-century hospital complex in Lessines, Belgium, that operated continuously for over 750 years. Founded in 1242 by Alix de Rosoit, the site retains its original medical instruments, apothecary collection, and infirmary halls. It is a rare example of a medieval hospital that escaped modernization, allowing visitors to see the historical evolution of patient care from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The site features an extensive collection of nearly 1,500 ceramic apothecary jars and a significant archive of historical documents. The chapel, which dates back to the 16th century, preserves original tapestries and liturgical objects. The entire site is classified as a major heritage site of the Wallonia region. The garden area houses medicinal plants historically used for treatment in the hospital's pharmacy.
The interior of the medieval infirmary hall provides the most striking perspective of the original architecture.
Allow extra time to explore the apothecary collection, as the labels offer detailed insights into medieval medicine.
Visit the site's herb garden to identify the specific medicinal plants used in historical treatments.
Inquire at the desk if a guided tour is available, as the historical complexity of the site is best understood with expert narration.
Do not attempt to touch the apothecary jars or historical instruments, as they are fragile and rare.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
Maintain a quiet volume inside the infirmary and chapel; photography may be restricted in certain archive rooms.
