Sint-Julianusgasthuis

Sint-Julianusgasthuis stands in Antwerp as a building complex around an inner courtyard, rooted in the early fourteenth century. Ida van Wijnegheem and canon Jan Tuclant founded the charitable guesthouse in 1303 or 1305. Poor travellers once found temporary lodging here near the old Sint-Janspoort, beside Antwerp’s former fortifications. The complex later became a chapel, dance hall, retirement home and art gallery.

The 1501 entrance on Hoogstraat has a broad arch, pointed gable and niche for Saint Roch. A stone pump beside it ends in a bronze lion’s-head spout. The brick Sint-Julianuskapel combines a three-sided choir, pointed-arch windows and traces of an earlier western entrance. Its tower disappeared in 1785, while the Sint-Jansvliet wing was rebuilt in 1791. De Zwarte Panter has occupied the chapel since 1970, extending into other parts of the complex.

The Stoofstraat entrance belongs largely to a neo-Regency building rebuilt in 1911 by Michel De Braey. Inside, the council chamber holds portraits, busts and the Pilgrim’s Table. On Maundy Thursday, twelve wealthy members serve twelve poor people, recalling the Last Supper. Butter sculptures made for this meal preserve one of the site’s most distinctive traditions.