Adults€3.00
Can also be purchased as a separate ticket
Explore the authentic, beautifully preserved 17th-century pharmacy of Saint John's Hospital. Housed in a former monastery, you can admire the original interior where sister-apothecaries prepared herbal medicines and view the remnants of the historical herb gardens outside.
A remarkably preserved 17th-century hospital pharmacy in Bruges, featuring its original interior and historic herb garden plots where nuns prepared medicines.
Located in Bruges, the Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal is a remarkably preserved seventeenth-century monastery pharmacy. Established in 1643, this historic site was operated continuously by sister-apothecaries who prepared remedies on site until 1971. Visitors can explore the authentic interior alongside surviving plots of the former herb garden where medicinal plants were once cultivated.
The Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal is situated on Mariastraat in the historic center of Bruges. Located next to the main Sint-Janshospitaal complex in the Our Lady Quarter, this remarkably preserved 17th-century pharmacy offers an ideal stop for history enthusiasts. Visitors can easily find this quiet, historic spot and explore the beautifully preserved interior rooms and the adjacent heritage herb gardens.
Mariastraat 38
8000 Bruges
Historic Centre, Our Lady Quarter, West Flanders, BE
When planning your visit to the Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal in the Historic Centre of Bruges, advance preparation is recommended. Because this historic site utilizes a timed-entry system, reserving your entry slot ahead of time is highly advised. While parking is available in the vicinity for those arriving by car, navigating this historic area on foot offers the most seamless access to the venue.
Visiting the Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges offers a rare look into seventeenth-century medical history within a beautifully preserved monastic pharmacy. Inside the historic building, guests can explore the authentic rooms where sister-apothecaries prepared remedies, complete with original cabinetry, jars, and historical tools. Just outside, the four surviving plots of the former herb garden connect visitors to the historic cultivation of medicinal plants used by the nuns. This intact museum environment provides an immersive experience highlighting local heritage.
The Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges has roots in a healthcare institution founded around 1150. The pharmacy was housed in the brother cloister, a structure built around 1220. Established in 1643, the apothecary operated under the care of nuns until 1971. The entire complex became a protected monument in 1943, and ownership shifted to the city in 1990. This history created a **remarkably preserved medical repository** that showcases centuries of apothecary traditions.
The Groeningemuseum presents a unique temporary exhibition featuring two paintings that were separated for over a century. These works, which depict scenes from the lives of Saints James and John, have been reunited following extensive art-historical research and restoration. Visitors can admire the panels side-by-side in Bruges from 16 June through 26 October 2026.
BRUSK is launching an ambitious exhibition series, headlined by 'High Tide', an immersive exploration of the sea's power through fashion and contemporary art. The programme also features a dedicated treasury of Groeninge Collection masterpieces and special installations for the Bruges Triennial 2027. These exhibitions highlight the venue's role as a vibrant space for artistic dialogue and heritage.
Starting May 8, the Musea Brugge Card will include access to the new BRUSK art gallery. Due to this expansion, the pricing structure for the pass has been updated to reflect the additional site inclusion.
The famous Portrait of Margareta van Eyck is temporarily unavailable at the Groeningemuseum. Starting 25 March, the piece will be moved to a new location to be featured in the upcoming exhibition 'Bigger Picture. Connected worlds of Bruges 900-1550' at the BRUSK gallery from 8 May to 6 September.
Musea Brugge has announced new closing days for the Groeningemuseum and Gruuthusemuseum effective from April 1, 2026. Visitors planning their trip should note these changes to ensure they arrive when the galleries are open. The update includes new weekly closing days and extended summer hours for the Groeningemuseum.
Musea Brugge concludes its two-year Apprentice-Master II research project, which traced the journeys of 19th-century artists who traveled from Bruges to Rome to refine their skills. This initiative highlighted academic connections through conferences, drawing masterclasses, and extensive digital publication of archival collections.
The carillon at the iconic Bruges Belfry is undergoing a periodic update to its automatic melodies, a tradition maintained for centuries. During this retuning process, the automatic music will be paused, though visitors can still enjoy live carillon recitals on specific days.
The Groeningemuseum is hosting a significant long-term loan: the monumental 'Scenes from the Life of Saint Joseph'. This rare 15th-century panel, recently restored by the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, provides a unique opportunity to view a Flemish Masterpiece until January 2027.
Visual previews of the Apotheek Sint-Janshospitaal in Bruges reveal a remarkably preserved 17th-century interior. Images showcase the dark wooden cabinetry, rows of ceramic medicinal jars, and brass scales once used by sister-apothecaries. These historic scenes prepare visitors for an atmospheric journey through ancient medical history, set within a classic brick hospital complex.
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