“Imagine stepping back in time” I say as we gather before the Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof. This building, now a museum, was once a hospital. It offers a glimpse into Lille’s heritage.
Founded in 1237 by Comtesse Jeanne de Flandre, it was originally the Notre-Dame Hospital. The Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof welcomed the sick and pilgrims. Its foundation was part of a larger movement to create hospital asylums. These asylums multiplied during the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, these walls house the city’s museum of art and history. It stands as one of the last testaments to the Counts of Flanders in Lille.
The main courtyard showcases Lille’s architectural evolution from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Rebuilt and modified over five centuries, the building reflects occupations and adaptations. Two fires caused destruction in 1468 and 1649. The present structure arose between 1470 and 1724. Brick, stone, and sandstone create a polychrome facade typical of Lille’s civil architecture.
The sickroom, rebuilt after the 1468 fire, features a single nave. A panelled barrel-vaulted roof covers it. Each patient had a bed and a wooden niche with a shelf serving as a bedside table. These niches were carved into the walls.
The chapel, added in the 17th century, allowed nuns to attend services. These nuns cared for the sick. Its ceiling displays 66 coats of arms painted in 1853.
After the French Revolution, the buildings housed orphans known as “Les Bleuets” and the elderly and infirm called “Les Vieux-Hommes”. The Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof ceased functioning as a hospital in 1940.
Classified as a Historic Monument since 1923, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the municipality decided to create a regional history and ethnography museum here. In 1962, the Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof opened. An atmospheric display was installed on the ground floor of the community building.
After exploring the sickroom, chapel, and physic garden, you enter the Augustinian nuns’ community house. They were responsible for the care of the sick. Several atmospheric rooms evoke the hospitality of a Flemish house. The refectory recreates the solemn atmosphere of the former hospital. The kitchen brings the day-to-day life of the place to life. It is adorned with countless blue tiles.
Upstairs, discover Lille’s history and life. The collections portray Lille from the 16th century to the French Revolution. Woodcarvings, paintings, and documents depict Lille’s urban landscape over centuries. Portrait galleries showcase the Counts of Flanders and Dukes of Burgundy. Keys to the city highlight Lille’s historical and political context.
Major trade guilds are represented through traditional objects like banners. The painting “La Procession de Lille” by François Watteau offers insights into the city. The works of François Watteau and his father, Louis Watteau, provide evidence of life in Lille under the Ancien Régime.
Finally, two superb globes by Vincenzo Coronelli evoke enthusiasm for travel and scientific discoveries.
The Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof remains rooted in Lille’s landscape and history. Each year, an exhibition invites visitors to discover contemporary artists linked to the city. Large themed presentations highlight the museum’s collections. It is also a favorite venue for Lille3000 events.
“As we conclude our visit to the Stadsmuseum ‘t Schippershof” I say “remember that every brick and every artifact here whispers tales of resilience, care, and community”.