Hof Bladelin

About the museum

Hof Bladelin is a medieval town palace in the centre of Bruges, close to the Prinsenhof. Pieter Bladelin (1408-1472), steward to Philip the Good and from 1447 treasurer of the Order of the Golden Fleece, had it built in 1438-1441. The first building phase included a large hall on the ground floor, later known as the Roman Hall, and a staircase tower. Bladelin later moved to the town of Middelburg, which he had founded himself, and the court was sold.

It then passed to the Florentine banking family de’ Medici, who had a branch in Bruges. Lorenzo de’ Medici appointed Tommaso Portinari as manager of that branch. Portinari bought the complex in 1480 and extended it, including the de’ Medici Hall. In 1497 he sold it to Jacques II of Luxembourg. Later the Egmonts, the Carmelite nuns and the de le Flye family were owners or residents there.

In 1829 the priest Leo de Foere bought the court for the Sisters of Our Lady of the Assumption, whom he had founded in 1816 to run a lace school for poor girls. He furnished the Roman Hall with copies of Raphael’s Vatican frescoes, had a late classicist chapel built and set up an art cabinet. Since 1964 the court has belonged to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van 7 Weeën congregation of Ruiselede. In early 2020 the last two sisters left the house. Today the congregation and the vzw Gesticht De Foere open the oldest rooms, the chapel and the inner garden to visitors, with the help of volunteers.

Highlights

• Roman Hall with four large canvases after Raphael’s frescoes in the Vatican
• Medici Hall with beam keys bearing the Medici coat of arms and the symbols of the Golden Fleece
• In the oldest room, the Adoration of the Shepherds by Jacob van Oost
• Late classicist chapel with angels by Laurent Delvaux
• Inner garden with a portico and medallions of Lorenzo de’ Medici and Clarice Orsini
• Five artworks recognised as highlights of the Flemish Masters, in situ

Permanent exhibition

• Historische zalen, kapel en binnentuin – Visitors see the Bladelin Hall, the Roman Hall and the de’ Medici Hall, the room of Sister Gabriëlle Claeys, the late classicist chapel and the inner garden.

Operated by

vzw Gesticht De Foere (Congregatie Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van 7 Weeën Ruiselede)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Wheelchair users are asked to have their companion go to the desk.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at Naaldenstraat 17–19. From the station the court is easy to reach on foot or by bike.

Amenities & dining

Catering is possible at events via vzw Curando.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Hosting guests, business relations and clients is possible in combination with a guided visit. The de’ Medici Hall and Sister Gabriëlle Claeys’ room can be hired; events in the chapel must fit within the religious setting of the site. Catering via vzw Curando.

Plan your visit