Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Catharina Gasthuis
⎯⎯⎯
Catharina Guesthouse

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

1. Catharina Gasthuis / Catharina Guesthouse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Catharina Gasthuis en Gasthuiskapel
Museum Gouda is gevestigd in het voormalige Catharina Gasthuis en de bijbehorende kapel. De huidige gevel, in de stijl van het Hollands classicisme, dateert uit 1665. Het ontwerp is waarschijnlijk van bouwmeester Pieter Post. De Waag, op de markt van Gouda, is ook van zijn hand. Het gasthuis vindt zijn oorsprong in de 13e eeuw. Waarschijnlijk behoorde het tot een complex van de eerste machthebbers van de stad, de Heren van der Goude.
In het begin was het Catharina Gasthuis meer een 'huis voor gasten' dan een ziekenhuis. ledere bezoeker aan Gouda had er recht op een nacht gratis onderdak. Zieken en hulpbehoevende ouderen betaalden voor hun verblijf in het gasthuis. Zij waren zogenaamde 'kostkopers'.

De kapel werd in 1474 gebouwd. Hier werden de (katholieke) kerkdiensten van het gasthuis gehouden. Toen Gouda eind 16e eeuw protestants werd, verloor de kapel haar oorspronkelijke functie. Het werd de opslagruimte van een bierbrouwer, vervolgens een kerkgebouw van de Waalse gemeente en later vonden het stadsarchief en de librije er een onderkomen. Vanaf 1980 is

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de kapel onderdeel van Museum Gouda. Het naast de kapel gelegen gasthuis hield pas in 1910 op te functioneren als ziekenhuis. Daarna werd het ingericht als bejaardentehuis.
Vanaf 1947 is Museum Gouda in het gasthuis gevestigd. Het is nu een onderkomen van de kunstschatten van de stad.

(English translation:)
Catharina Guesthouse and Guesthouse Chapel
Museum Gouda is housed in the former Catharina Gasthuis and its accompanying chapel. The current façade, in the Dutch Classical style, dates from 1665. It was probably designed by architect Pieter Post. The Waag (weigh house) on Gouda's market square is also his work. The guesthouse originated in the 13th century. It likely belonged to a complex of the city's first rulers, the Lords of Gouda.
In the beginning, the Catharina Gasthuis was more of a "house for guests" than a hospital. Every visitor to Gouda was entitled to one night's free lodging. The sick and elderly in need of care paid for their stay at the guesthouse. They were known as "boarders."

The chapel was built in 1474. The almshouse's (Catholic) church services were held here. When Gouda became Protestant at the

Catharina Gasthuis / Catharina Guesthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

2. Catharina Gasthuis / Catharina Guesthouse and Marker

end of the 16th century, the chapel lost its original function. It became a brewery's storage facility, then a church building for the Walloon community, and later housed the city archives and library. Since 1980, the chapel has been part of the Gouda Museum. The adjacent almshouse only ceased to function as a hospital in 1910. It was then converted into a retirement home.
Since 1947, the Gouda Museum has been housed in the almshouse. It now houses the city's art treasures.

Erected by the ANWB. (Marker Number 2162/21.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1665.

Location. 52° 0.601′ N, 4° 42.666′ E. Marker is in Gouda, Zuid-Holland (South Holland). It is on Oosthaven, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Oosthaven 9, Gouda, Zuid-Holland 2801 PB, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

3. Catharina Gasthuis / Catharina Guesthouse and Marker

Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Selma Maass-Strauss (a few steps from this marker); Patriciërswoning / Patrician House (within shouting distance of this marker); Woonhuis Weldoenster van Erasmus / Home of the Benefactor of Erasmus (within shouting distance of this marker); Rotterdamsche Bank (1921) (within shouting distance of this marker); Donkere sluis / Donkere Lock (within shouting distance of this marker); Achter de Kerk / “Behind the Church” (within shouting distance of this marker); Sociëteit de Réunie (within shouting distance of this marker); Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gouda.

Also see . . . Museum Gouda (Welcome to Gouda, VVV). The QR code on the marker leads to this page, which is a close rephrasing óf the marker. (Submitted on July 29, 2025.)

Catharina Guesthouse - decorative detail above entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 21, 2025

4. Catharina Guesthouse - decorative detail above entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 29, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

Catharina Gasthuis⎯⎯⎯Catharina Guesthouse

Catharina Gasthuis
⎯⎯⎯
Catharina Guesthouse