Museum Gouda

Museum Gouda is located in the former Catharina Gasthuis and the chapel that was part of it. The current facade in Dutch Classicist style dates from 1665. The design is thought to be by architect Pieter Post. De Waag on the market square of Gouda is also by him.
The guest house dates back to the 13^th century. Most likely it was part of a building complex belonging to the first rulers of the town, the Lords van der Goude. It also comprised the ‘motte’, a raised reinforcement (Molenwerf), the farmstead (Jerusalemstraat) and the court chapel (later Sint-Janskerk). In the beginning the Catharina Gasthuis was a ‘house for guests’ rather than a hospital. Everyone visiting Gouda had the right to free lodgings for one night. Invalids and needy elderly people paid for their stay in the guest house. They were called kostkopers (paying guests). The chapel was built in 1474. This was where the guest house held Catholic Mass. When Gouda became Protestant at the end of the 16^th century, the chapel lost its original function. It became the store room of a beer brewer, then the home of the Walloon Church and after that the town archives and church library were housed here. Since 1980 the chapel has been part of Museum Gouda.
The guest house next to the chapel continued to be used as a hospital until 1910. After that it became an old people’s home. Museum Gouda has been located in the guest house since 1947. Now it is home to the town’s art treasures.