Gasthuismuseum

Gasthuismuseum in Geel occupies a former hospital and convent complex that for more than seven centuries cared for the sick and for pilgrims drawn to the town by the cult of Saint Dymphna. The building stands in the heart of Geel, on Gasthuisstraat, right next to the Sint-Dimpnakerk, on a site local legend connects to the saint's martyrdom.

How did the hospital in Geel come about?

The Oud Gasthuis was founded shortly before 1286 by Hendrik III Berthout, lord of Geel at the time. From the outset it served two purposes: treating local residents and receiving pilgrims who traveled to Geel hoping for healing through the intercession of Saint Dymphna, patroness of people suffering from mental illness. The earliest community of caregivers consisted of a handful of lay brothers and sisters.

What changed when the Augustinian sisters arrived?

A turning point in the complex's history came in 1552, when three Augustinian sisters arrived in Geel and took over the running of the hospital. The Gasthuiszusters Augustinessen order went on to expand the convent buildings considerably, with further wings and rooms still being added in the 19th century as the hospital grew alongside the town's needs. The complex's medical role effectively ended in 1918, when an entirely new hospital building opened nearby on Billemontstraat — from that point the old Gasthuis gradually shifted from an active care facility to a historical site.

What can visitors see inside the museum today?

The Gasthuismuseum opens up a well-preserved cloistered complex once inhabited by the Augustinian sisters — cloister walks, cells and utility rooms that for centuries formed a closed world devoted to caring for the sick. The exhibition follows two intertwined threads: the local and international cult of Saint Dymphna, and the origins of the family-based care system for which Geel became known, in which people with mental illness have for centuries been taken in by private households in town rather than confined to institutions. That tradition, rooted directly in the hospital's history and the Dymphna legend, is what gave Geel its reputation far beyond Belgium.

The visit is staged as a living narrative rather than a static display: characters representing the sisters and the patients guide visitors through a recreated 17th-century daily routine, explaining what work, prayer and treatment looked like inside the convent walls. This approach lets the museum move past glass cases and give visitors a feel for the rhythm of monastic and hospital life in that period.

Who is it for, and how accessible is it?

The museum aims for broader accessibility than the average heritage site: it offers tours adapted for people with dementia, a program for blind and visually impaired visitors, and facilities for wheelchair users, including a wheelchair available to borrow on site. That combination makes the Gasthuismuseum one of the more inclusive museums in the region for visitors with different needs.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Gasthuismuseum located? At Gasthuisstraat 1 in Geel, in the town centre, next to the Sint-Dimpnakerk.

How much does admission cost? A standard ticket costs 6 euros; entry is free for Museumpas holders.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible? Yes, the site is wheelchair-friendly and a wheelchair can be borrowed on site.

Why is the museum named and themed the way it is? Its name comes from the former Gasthuis (hospital), and its exhibitions focus on that institution's history, the cult of Saint Dymphna, and the family-care system that developed in Geel as a result of that tradition.